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Evaluation

Our investments have aimed to add value and make a difference to the regional economy by unlocking the business potential of the South West.

Evaluating our activities has helped us to understand the scale of our impact and learn what works well and less well. This enabled us to make decisions about how similar things could be done in the future.

The Impact Evaluation Framework (IEF) (2006) and the Impact Evaluation Framework ‘Plus’ (2009) detailed the Regional Development Agencies' approach to impact evaluation. This framework had particular emphasis on quantifying and understanding the impact and value for money of our interventions.

In its sponsorship role of the Regional Development Agencies, BIS commissioned an evaluation of the impact of RDAs. The Impact of RDA Spending Report, published in March 2009 summarises the impact of Regional Development Agencies at a national level, and the impact of each RDA across three themes: Business development and Competitiveness, Regeneration through Physical Infrastructure and People and Skills.

Overall the report showed that every pound invested by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will generate at least £4.50 for the regional economy.

You can browse our evaluation reports by these categories Business, People, Place, and National.

In addition to our impact via project and programme spend, we also lead and influence our stakeholders and partners. Our six Strategic Added Value case studies provide examples of how our strategic direction has benefited the region.

An aerial view of the coastline at Lyme Regis

Engineer inspecting metal component