Programme impact evaluation (2020)
Throughout the spring and summer 2020, the Institute of Baltic Studies carried out the most substantial evaluation of the programme. The aim of this evaluation was to assess whether the funds contributed by the programme caused positive changes in the programme area and possibly outside it. The results of the evaluation are compiled in the report and an Annex.
Mid-term evaluation on the fulfilment of the programme result indicators (2021)
For assessing the fulfilment of the result indicators in 2021, we used the same questionnaires, respondents/sample and methodology for gathering the data as we did for setting the baseline values and mid-term evaluation in 2018 (please see the description and respective survey and excel files below) to have comparable data.
Priority 1 "Active and attractive business environment"
The result has dropped (see the red numbers in the table below) compared to the baseline value for the indicator 1.1 “Share of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the region (not older than 3 years), which are ready for cross-border cooperation”.
Priority 2 "Clean and valued living environment"
The number of visitors to the natural and cultural heritage sites, was counted by the JS by asking the number of visits from the same 187 sites in Estonia and Latvia as in 2014 and 2018. There were a few sites that did not have the data or that are out of business, but the total number shows decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as expected.
Result indicators 2.2.a “Awareness of people about resource efficiency with a focus on waste and energy saving” and 2.2.w “Cooperation intensity between institutions on management of water bodies and coastal areas” show a growing trend.
We are glad to see that more and more people consider Valga (EE) and Valka (LV) as joint town (indicator 2.3). 34% of inhabitants consider that Valga and Valka are rather grown together with some separate elements while 12% consider Valka and Valga as one town. People’s suggestions for the joint events in near future include festivals, sports and culture, fairs and markets.
The result indicator 2.4 The use of harmonized geodetic reference system in Estonian-Latvian cross-border projects was introduced in 2020 and the fulfilment will be measured in 2023. The pre-defined project GeoRefAct that contributes to this indicator started its activiteis in early 2021.
Priority 3 "Better network of harbours"
The number of visiting vessels to the samll harbours is gathered by the JS from the harbours and official data available at the webpage of the Maritime Administration of Estonia. The visits in 2020 were much affected by the pandemic restrictions.
Priority 4 "Integrated labour market"
The data is not availbale yet.
In the below table you can see the overview, and for more detailed information, please scroll down for the surveys.
| RESULT INDICATOR | Baseline 2014/2015 | Assessment_2018 | Assessment_2021 | Target_2023 |
| 1.1 Share of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the region (not older than 3 years), which are ready for cross-border cooperation | 53% | 46% | 45% | 59% |
| 1.2 Share of entrepreneurs carrying out joint product or service development | 14% | 13% | 28% | 19% |
| 2.1 Visitors to the natural and cultural heritage sites | 3 103 576 | 3 729 721 (for 2017) |
2 585 486 (for 2020) |
3 786 000 |
| 2.2. Awareness of people about resource efficiency with a focus on waste and energy saving | 43% | 53% | 50% | 53% |
| 2.2. Cooperation intensity between institutions on management of water bodies and coastal areas | 36% | 46% | 55% | 59% |
| 2.3. The share of inhabitants of Valga and Valka considering Valga and Valka as a joint entity | 21% | 29% | 46% | 28% |
| 2.4 The use of harmonized geodetic reference system in Estonian-Latvian cross-border projects | Harmonized geodetic system not in use/available | N/A | N/A | A harmonized system has been introduced, 1 |
| 3.1 Number of visiting vessels at small harbours | 6 420 | 7 789 | 6 871 | 16 000 |
| 4.1 Work commuters crossing the border | 2 753 | 4 598 | Not available yet | 3 100 |
SO 1.1 Survey report 2021 {0.8 MB}
SO 1.2 Survey report 2018 {1 MB}
SO 2.1 Visitors to EE and LV sites 2020 {77 KB}
SO 2.2.a Awareness about resource efficiency 2021 {0.9 MB}
SO 2.2.w Cooperation intensity on management joint waters 2021 {0.8 MB}
SO 2.3 Valga and Valka as a joint entity 2021 {0.7 MB}
Mid-term evaluation on the fulfilment of the programme result indicators (2018)
Summary of the evaluation in 2018 {491 KB}
Surveys all indicators 2018 {8.4 MB}
On 24 September 2020, the Cooperation Programme was changed and new SO 2.4 was introduced under Priority 2. The description of how the baseline and target values of the result indicators for SO2.4 were established is provided below.
In the description below it is explained, how the baseline and target values of the result indicators for the programme were established back in 2014-2015 and respective surveys and data gathered in 2014-2015 are all together in the zip file below.
Description for setting result indicator baselines and targets 2014-2015 {327.59 KB}
Surveys and excels 2014-2015 {2,6 MB}
In 2017 we carried out a survey to assess the quality and relevance of our communication activities.
The Monitoring Committee of the programme approved the report of the survey in spring 2018.
Performance Evaluation Report {3.88MB}
During the period March 2013 – May 2014 a consortium of CPD Ltd and Safege Baltija Ltd carried out the ex-ante evaluation to improve the quality of the design of the Estonia-Latvia programme 2014-2020.
Estonia-Latvia programme 2014-2020 Ex-ante Evaluation Report {1.15 MB}