Client: The Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs
Country: The Netherlands
Period: December 2003 - September 2004

The objective of this study is to evaluate the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the Regional Development Agencies as an instrument of Dutch regional economic policies. On the basis of the evaluation the Ministry of Economic Affairs has prepared the new policy guidance for the period 2004-2008 which contains:

• An analysis of the extent to which the RDA’s activities match national policy objectives;
• An analysis of RDA’s in institutional context vis a vis other institutions sponsored by national and regional authorities that promote economic development;
• An evaluation of the relevance and effectiveness of the main instruments of the RDA’s, including promotion and implementation of innovation projects, promoting foreign direct investment, providing seed capital and risk capital to local enterprises and promoting the (re)construction of industrial estates;
• Co-operation of the RDA’s with the Dutch Innovation Centers (Syntens)
• Evaluate the way in which the RDA’s are coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Dutch provinces

Services provided:

• Evaluation of output and impact of RDAs
• Evaluation of internal organization and efficiency