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Case Study

Summative Assessment of the ERDF BCTA Project

An independent evaluation measuring the performance, impact, and lessons learned from the ERDF Black Country Technical Assistance project, assessing its success in supporting EU funding applications and regional investment.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Optimat was commissioned by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to undertake a Summative Assessment of the ERDF Black Country Technical Assistance (BCTA) project. Conducting a Summative Assessment to evaluate project performance against output targets and measure impact is a requirement of all EU funded (European Structural Investment Fund) projects.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Review the project design and assess its appropriateness to achieve project objectives and targets
Measure project progress, including finances and outputs, against targets and evaluate the quality of project governance, management and delivery
Assess value for money and impact, i.e. what difference did the project make?
Make recommendation of lessons that can be learnt for the project team, similar projects and policy makers

Review the project design and assess its appropriateness to achieve project objectives and targets
Measure project progress, including finances and outputs, against targets and evaluate the quality of project governance, management and delivery
Assess value for money and impact, i.e. what difference did the project make?
Make recommendation of lessons that can be learnt for the project team, similar projects and policy makers




OUR APPROACH

Our approach for this evaluation encompassed:

  • a comprehensive review of project documents and reports
  • interviews with the project management and delivery team
  • a survey of project beneficiaries, and
  • engagement with wider stakeholders.

Being very familiar with the formal requirements for ERDF Summative Assessments, our evaluation reporting included all the necessary tabulated performance data, analysis and insights on impact and lessons learnt.

DELIVERY TEAM

Joginder Fagura
Senior Consultant
About>
Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The facilitation of ERDF Technical Assistance to potential applicants in the Black Country area by the BCTA project has been very successful.  Survey respondents were consistently very positive about the support they received and regarded the assistance to be of high quality.

External circumstances have had a particular influence on the BCTA project.  Firstly, The UK’s forthcoming departure from the European Union has resulted in uncertainty over the future of funding allocation to the nations and regions of the UK.  It is highly likely that this has had an influence on the types of organisations that accessed support via BCTA, with the uncertainty deterring organisations that are new to European Funding. The second external influence on BCTA has been the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the final quarters, the project has had to adapt its delivery model and move to an online workshop format.

The BCTA project has made a real difference to the level of knowledge and understanding of ERDF in the region. We confirm that there was, and still is, strong rationale for the project. Beneficiaries confirmed that understanding of ERDF rules can be highly challenging, particularly for applicants that have limited experience of ERDF projects.

Based on project applications that were supported and those that have been successful, BCTA has supported the draw-down of an impressive £11.25m in ERDF and £22.5m total investment into the Black Country sub-region.

In terms of lessons to be learnt, extending the scope of Technical Assistance services to encompass post-bid support has been a consistent feedback message from beneficiaries. It is acknowledged that this type of support would not be eligible under ERDF rules for Capacity Building Technical Assistance projects, but it may be something to consider under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Joginder Fagura

Senior Consultant

I’m Joginder, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in designing and delivering evidence-based economic development and sector growth strategies, working with public sector clients across the UK. My passion lies in translating complex evidence into practical recommendations that help organisations and industries make smarter investment and policy decisions.

I started my career in consultancy with Optimat in 2000. I’ve led and contributed to high-profile studies spanning advanced materials and manufacturing, clean energy industries, life sciences and medical devices. Much of my work has focused on mapping supply chains, identifying market opportunities, benchmarking international best practice, and shaping innovation ecosystems.

I particularly enjoy projects that bring industry, academia, and government together to explore how innovation can drive sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Optimat, I worked as a material scientist, designing bespoke, high-performance materials for demanding application. This practical grounding in industrial research and product development has been invaluable in understanding both the technical and commercial realities of innovation, enabling me to provide clients with advice that is both evidence-based and pragmatic.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Brunel University and an MSc in Polymer Sciencefrom Lancaster University.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.