The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the degree of coherence and complementary of the European Structural Fund (ESF) programmes with the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) at the levels of objectives, interventions, stakeholders and indicators – or in short, the support ESF provides for the social OMC.
The evaluation included:
- An investigation, at four levels (objectives, interventions, target groups / stakeholders and indicators), of the coherence and complementarity of ESF Programmes with the social OMC.
- A focus on particular issues at two of these levels. At the level of objectives, this is anti-discrimination, fight against poverty and exclusion issues. At the level of interventions this is multiple disadvantages and integrated pathways.
- A set of primary data gathering activities at regional level to explore with relevant stakeholders the suitability of the ESF as a tool to progress in the field of the OMC, and how the tool can be improved to ensure better coherence and complementarity with the OMC.