This ex-post evaluation examined the provision of information and communication technologies (ICT) by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for two programming cycles: 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. The evaluations reviewed various support measures for ICT that were eligible for ERDF financing, including the construction of broadband infrastructure, the development of digital services within public administration and businesses, and investments in e-health and e-education.
The evaluation, which employed a theory-based impact approach, assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, relevance, and EU-added value of ERDF support for ICT across all EU regions. To achieve this, the evaluation used a mixed-method methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative data collected from primary and secondary sources. Firstly, the evaluation reconstructed the intervention logic of the ERDF support for ICT and categorised expenditures (EUR 14.1 billion in 2007-2013 and EUR 15.41 billion in 2014-2020) into coherent categories of ICT policy instruments. Insights into the rationale, implementation challenges, and effectiveness of the intervention were gathered through an extensive interview programme involving the managing authorities of 66 EU regions.
Case studies of 30 ERDF Operational Programmes provided a more in-depth assessment of individual large investments and support measures for ICT. An analysis of the policy mix for ICT deployed under the ERDF in the three main beneficiary countries (Italy, Poland, and Spain) completed the evaluation by examining how the ERDF intervention was programmed and implemented considering complementarities with other national and EU support programmes.