Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| CALL FOR EVIDENCE  FOR AN EVALUATION | |
| This document aims to inform the public and stakeholders about the Commission's work, so they can provide feedback and participate effectively in consultation activities. | |
| Title of the evaluation | Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) – first interim evaluation |
| Lead DG – responsible unit | RTD.B.1 |
| Indicative timetable  (planned start date and completion date) | Q4-2022 |
| Additional information | PRIMA (prima-med.org) |
| A. Political context, purpose and scope of the evaluation | |
| Political context | |
| The Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), under Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is designed to address socio-economic and environmental challenges in the thematic areas of water management and agro-food systems in the Mediterranean region. It does so by contributing to the development and integration of research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem through better regional coordination and collaboration.  PRIMA’s overarching goal is to contribute to the sustainability and stability of the region and aims to achieve several objectives. These include the thematic objective to develop and deploy innovative solutions for integrated water management and sustainable agricultural production in a region heavily affected by climate change, urbanisation and population growth. Another objective is to increase Participating States’ R&I capacity, foster collaboration between all those involved in R&I, and align and focus national R&I funding programming on pressing societal challenges. PRIMA also has a science diplomacy goal, aiming to build trust between Participating States and improve relations between south Mediterranean countries and the EU and among themselves.  PRIMA started as a joint initiative of 19 Participating States: Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.  It is an 11-year initiative (2018-2028), funded by the Participating States (EUR 274 million) and the EU's research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 (EUR 220 million).  The partnership is implemented through a dedicated structure, the PRIMA Foundation, which launches open competitive calls for international proposals with a balanced participation of researchers and stakeholders from the Mediterranean region. The PRIMA Foundation ensures merit-based selection of proposals and follows up the projects supported by PRIMA. The Foundation organises additional activities including capacity building and collaboration with relevant international organisations and programmes.  Under Article 14 of the Basic Act [1](#footnote2) , the Commission must perform an interim evaluation of PRIMA. This evaluation is carried out as part of the Green Transition study [2](#footnote3) . | |

  

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| Purpose and scope |
| The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and added value of PRIMA since it established in 2017.  Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in (PRIMA) sets out a legal framework for the interim and final evaluation, in line with other Article 185 initiatives under Horizon 2020.  Following an impact assessment conducted in 2016 [3](#footnote4)  and in line with the ‘better regulation’ guidelines, the interim evaluation should assess:  ·progress towards the objectives of PRIMA;  ·the Partnership’s efficiency (in aspects such as implementation, governance and supervision and potential complexity);  ·coherence with other initiatives, actions and/or policies that have related objectives;  ·the impact of PRIMA’s added value at European and Mediterranean levels;  ·the effectiveness of the Article 185 PRIMA Partnership approach in its domain/sector and its contribution to the general policy objectives of the EU and Horizon 2020’s objectives.  The evaluation findings will present conclusions and recommendations for the future design of the initiative as PRIMA provides a unique strategic opportunity to bring together stakeholders, create synergies, and facilitate the demonstration of sustainable and inclusive solutions driven by innovation, knowledge and evidence.  The findings will also be taken into account to assess the options for a possible renewal of PRIMA after the end of its active programming term in 2024 (when the last call is launched). |
| B. Better regulation |
| Consultation strategy |
| A public consultation is not planned in the context of the dedicated PRIMA evaluation under the Green Transition study, which is carried out as part of the 2019-2024 R&I framework programme evaluation strategy. This study follows the new evaluation approach that bundles and coordinates all evaluation studies on Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe.  However, targeted interviews are being carried out as part of the Green Transition study. The consultation activities will focus on selected stakeholders (including national funding agencies, beneficiaries, representatives of the PRIMA Foundation, members of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board).  The findings of the interviews will be integrated into the interim PRIMA evaluation report. |
| Data collection and methodology |
| Data collection and methodology is mainly covered by the Green Transition study and includes qualitative and quantitative information, such as a desk review and interviews with stakeholders.  The Commission’s ‘better regulation’ policy aims to develop initiatives informed by the best available evidence. In line with this policy, we invite scientific researchers, academic organisations, learned societies, and scientific associations with expertise in water management, farming and agro-food systems in the Mediterranean region to submit published and pre-print scientific research, analyses and data. We are particularly interested in submissions that synthesise the current state of knowledge in the different relevant fields. |

:   [(1)](#footnoteref2)
     Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 on the participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) jointly undertaken by several Member States.
:   [(2)](#footnoteref3)
     Evaluation study on the European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation for addressing Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness - Focus on activities related to the green transition – RTD/2021/SC/023.
:   [(3)](#footnoteref4)
     European Commission (2016): Impact assessment - Accompanying the document Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) jointly undertaken by several Member States (COM(2016) 662 final)

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