Ex-post evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020

Introduction The Scottish Government (SG), on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, wishes to commission an ex-post evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020. The evaluation will cover the programme period from 26 May 2015 to 31 December 2023 (the final date for eligibility of expenditure incurred and paid). The ex-post evaluation forms part of the formal programme closure progress. The SRDP 2014-2020 delivered Pillar 2 of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and funded economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. This specification sets out the aims of the project and the tasks required of the contractor. It also sets out the management arrangements and timescales. Background & Context The SRDP 2014-2020 is a programme of economic, environmental and social measures, based on six key EU themes (or 'Priorities'): - Priority 1 – fostering knowledge transfer, co-operation and innovation; - Priority 2 – enhancing competitiveness, promoting innovative technologies and sustainable management of forests; - Priority 3 – promoting food chain organisation & risk management; - Priority 4 – restoring, preserving & enhancing ecosystems; - Priority 5 – promoting resource efficiency & transition to low carbon economy; - Priority 6 – promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development. The SRDP for 2014 to 2020 was submitted for approval by the European Commission in October 2014 and approved on 26 May 2015 under Commission Decision C(2015)3489 with a budget of 1.3 billion GBP. The European Commission requires Member States or Regions to evaluate the assistance from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for the programming period 2014 to 2020. The Ex-Post Evaluation will seek to assess the impacts of the EAFRD funding and take stock of the results, achievements, impacts, efficiency and effectiveness of the programme. The Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate is responsible for the SRDP; the Agriculture Policy Division is the Managing Authority and the Agricultural Delivery Division (SGRPID) is the paying agency. The key purpose of the SRDP 2014-2020 is to help achieve sustainable economic growth in Scotland’s rural areas and the priorities remains broadly the same as the previous programme. The main priorities are: - Enhancing the rural economy; - Supporting agricultural and forestry businesses; - Protecting and improving the natural environment; - Addressing the impact of climate change; and - Supporting rural communities. The SRDP was structured according to the EAFRD intervention logic and included six Priorities under which a total of 14 Measures, as well as the Technical Assistance Measure, were implemented. Annex A outlines the delivery mechanisms and the Scottish Rural Network.