Evaluating to improve: the impact of the PSRN and future perspectives

The National Rural Development Programme (PSRN) is a European fund aimed at promoting the sustainable development of rural areas in Italy. Its key objectives include enhancing agricultural competitiveness, safeguarding the environment, and improving risk management. Established within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy and co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the PSRN is a strategic tool for implementing the EU’s rural development goals.

Within this context, the project addresses the need to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system mandated by EU regulations, with the goal of measuring achieved outcomes and guiding future policy decisions. Specifically, it aims to assess the PSRN’s impact in achieving thematic EU objectives, providing the Ministry with data and analysis to improve agricultural and rural policies.

More details

The PSRN evaluation activities result in the production of several key deliverables. Annual evaluation reports provide an in-depth analysis of the programme’s progress across various dimensions: implementation, financial performance, physical indicators, and procedural aspects. These are complemented by annual dissemination materials, designed to clearly and accessibly communicate the programme’s results. At the end of the programming period, an ex post evaluation report summarizes the overall outcomes and performance of the PSRN.
To ensure meaningful results, Lattanzio KIBS contributes at both the strategic level, by managing the technical-scientific coordination, and the operational level, through the practical execution of services, guaranteeing high standards of quality throughout the evaluation process.

Project Impact

By evaluating the impact of the PSRN, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests benefits from continuous, detailed assessments of the Programme. These reports provide thorough analyses of achievements and identify areas for improvement. The resulting recommendations support more efficient resource management and improved strategic planning, while communication and dissemination activities ensure that findings are integrated into future policy and decision-making, thereby enhancing the programme’s overall effectiveness.