Institute for International Relations

(assignment carried out within the framework of the Strategy and Capacity Building for Regional Development project /CARDS 2002/)

Name of Client

ECORYS and Ministry of Public works, Construction and Reconstruction

Origin of Funding

EU CARDS Programme

Dates (Start/End)

April 2005 - October 2005

Name of Partners

ECORYS

Description of Project - Overall Objective

Provide managers of the National Strategy for Regional Development, and regional policy generally, with a single reliable tool for tackling regional disadvantage – as well as measuring the reduction of disparities - in the shape of an agreed and unified set of socio-economic criteria.

Project Outputs

• appraisal of existing Category III of Law on Areas of Special State Concern – in terms of relevance, adequacy, reliability and applicability as encompassing framework for targeting socio-economic across Croatia;
• report based on comparison with at least three other similar models in different countries;
• workshops organized to test relevance adequacy, reliability and applicability of recommendations
• report elaborated setting out final recommendations – including issues for implementation

Type of Services Provided

1. Initial discussion/exchange of experience to identify and agree the relevant benchmarks for the evaluation and comparative exercise – (common benchmarks to be agreed by April 25th (Both IMO and Ecorys)
2. a) Comparison of four/five EU models – deskwork and report by Ecorys, ("proofed" by IMO to reflect Croatian reality)
   b) Design of evaluation template and preparation of structured interview framework and questionnaire – piloted by IMO
3. Appraisal/evaluation of the existing model which included interviews and focus group phase
4. Preparation of initial recommendations
5. Workshops with legal working group/strategy working group and other key stakeholders
6. Drafting of final recommendations