Ockham IPS, together with Panteia, is evaluating the ESF part of REACT-EU funding in the Netherlands.  

The EU channels substantial resources to help Member States and regions to deal with the socio- economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare for a green, digital and resilient recovery. In this context, the  Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU) initiative provides funding for creating and preserving jobs, advancing education and skills, and promoting the social inclusion of people in vulnerable situations.  

On this basis, an amount of €220.4 million of European funds added to the Dutch ESF programme 2014-2020. The choice was made for REACT-EU to focus on getting and keeping vulnerable workers and jobseekers in work and thus mitigating the employment and social impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. 

To maximize learning form the implementation of REACT-EU in the Netherlands, a combination of an effect and process evaluation is implemented. While the process evaluation focuses on what went well in implementing the interventions, as well as what was disappointing or unsuccessful, the effect evaluation focuses on the effects of REACT-EU finding on participants. 

Methods used for this evaluation are interviews with applicants, surveys amongst participants and analysis of microdata of the national statistical office. The evaluation project runs form 2022 to 2024.