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Mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027

Client

Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy

Year

2025

Partner

M&E Factory monitoring and evaluation GmbH


The Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027 is providing 99 million euros in EU funding to promote cross-border cooperation. The aim is to bring Bavaria and the Czech Republic closer together and to overcome common challenges. Funding is available for projects in the fields of research and knowledge transfer, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, education, culture, sustainable tourism and better Interreg governance. In this way, the programme strengthens regional development and cohesion in the border region.

On behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, we have conducted a mid-term evaluation of the programme together with M&E Factory monitoring and evaluation GmbH. It provides recommendations to those responsible for improving the programme for the remaining period.

Key findings of the mid-term evaluation:

  • Approval rate and project progress: By the end of 2024, 49 projects with a total volume of around 39.3 million euros had been approved. This corresponds to an approval rate of around 43 per cent of the available EU funds.
  • Identification of risks: Based on an analysis of the financial implementation status and the target/actual values of key figures, three specific objectives are at increased risk of not being achieved. These relate to adaptation to climate change, the promotion of culture and sustainable tourism, and legal and institutional cooperation.
  • Success of small projects: Small projects have a high success rate in terms of financial implementation and impact achieved. They are often organised as encounter projects to promote exchange and cooperation between people on both sides of the border. Simplified accounting for project promoters and advice from programme managers contribute to their success.

The results provide a basis for various recommendations for optimising programme implementation. The focus is on more intensive and targeted communication measures to mobilise potential applicants and adjustments to the specific objectives in order to increase overall commitment and utilisation of funds.

Our approach

For the mid-term evaluation, we combined quantitative and qualitative methods to paint a comprehensive picture of programme implementation. The quantitative analysis was based on an evaluation of project data from the monitoring system. It was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with Bavarian and Czech project participants and an analysis of project reports to assess the contribution of the projects and framework conditions to the achievement of the objectives. Certain topics, such as the interaction between small and large projects, were examined in greater depth. Final focus groups provided additional insights into projects, the needs of those involved and options for action. The entire process was carried out in close cooperation with the managing authority and relevant stakeholders to ensure the validity of the results.

Links and downloads

To the report (PDF in german, by-cz.eu)

To the website of the programme (in german, by-cz.eu)

Project team: Dr Bärbel Birnstengel, Markus Zock

Latest update: 19.08.2025

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Bärbel Birnstengel

Principal

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Markus Zock

Project Manager

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