Evaluation of the Social Economy Programme

Link to the full Report

Introduction

This chapter begins by presenting the objectives of this evaluation of the Social Economy Programme (SEP). Following this the terms of reference for the evaluation are presented together with the methodology used to address the range of issues identified in the terms of reference. The final section presents an outline of the report indicating the main content of each of the five subsequent chapters.

Objectives of the Evaluation

The objectives of this evaluation are to:

• improve understanding of the social economy, the programme and its objectives;
• review the operation of the programme at national, local and enterprise level;
• advise on criteria for `second round' funding to social economy enterprises; and,
• advise on the funding requirement into the future and determine how other organisations, both public and private, can contribute to supporting the programme, whether financially or otherwise.