PPMI | Part of the Verian Group, in cooperation with Bearing Point, has successfully concluded a major evaluation assignment that brings together three evaluations into a single, in-depth report now published by the Publications Office of the European Union:
The newly published report marks the completion of a comprehensive assessment of key European youth and solidarity programmes, offering strategic insights into their added value that can in turn guide future initiatives.
A three-in-one evaluation effort
The project set out to support the European Commission through a consolidated evaluation encompassing:
- Interim evaluation of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) 2021–2027, focusing on the first phase of implementation (2021– 2023);
- Final evaluation of the ESC 2018–2020, assessing the implementation of the initial programme;
- Final evaluation of the EU Aid Volunteers (EUAV) Initiative 2014–2020, supplementing and updating prior ex post analysis.
The evaluations examined the programmes' effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and EU added value, extracting lessons to enhance current implementation and inform potential future iterations beyond 2027.
Rigorous methodology anchored in evidence
Conducted in line with the European Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines, the evaluation used a robust mixed-methods design, including:
- Desk research across legal, policy, and operational documents, as well as monitoring data;
- 121 stakeholder interviews at EU and national levels;
- Open public consultation via the Have Your Say portal, with 673 responses from individuals and organisations (Nov 2023–Feb 2024);
- Five large-scale surveys, engaging 16,000+ participants, applicants, and organisations;
- 13 case studies, examining both national and thematic dimensions such as sustainability and social inclusion;
- Counterfactual analysis of ESC 2021–2027, contrasting outcomes between participants and rejected applicants to grasp the effect of participaction among youth;
- Cost-effectiveness analysis integrated into the programme efficiency assessment;
- Social media monitoring, reviewing over 79,000 mentions (2018–2024) to assess visibility and sentiment online.
This triangulated approach enabled a nuanced and evidence-backed evaluation.
Results
The evaluation revealed that the European Solidarity Corps and EU Aid Volunteers initiatives have significantly contributed to addressing pressing societal needs across the EU. Their design and implementation were found to be highly relevant, especially in promoting social inclusion, strengthening community ties, and encouraging active democratic participation. The flexibility of thematic priorities - ranging from mental health and refugee support to climate change - enabled the programmes to adapt swiftly to emerging challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. This responsiveness enhanced their overall impact and visibility, ensuring the initiatives remained timely and meaningful to participants and communities alike.
In terms of effectiveness, the programmes generated substantial benefits at both individual and organisational levels. Participants reported enhanced skills, greater civic engagement, and a strengthened sense of European identity. Organisations involved in the programmes saw improvements in project management, inclusivity, and international collaboration.
The evaluation also confirmed the programmes' efficiency, especially in solidarity projects, though it noted that demand outstripped available funding - only about 11% of interested individuals could participate. Despite some shortcomings in IT and insurance systems, the programmes offered strong EU added value by enabling cross-border cooperation, reaching young people with fewer opportunities, and reinforcing EU values through practical, community-based action.
These insights are poised to guide the evolution of future programmes beyond 2027.
