November, 2024 – May, 2025, BGI Consulting carried out the Evaluation of effectiveness of the 2014-2020 Lithuanian Rural Development Programme measures for innovation, cooperation and knowledge development. The Study was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania.

The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the contribution of measures contributing to the implementation of 1st priority of the Lithuanian Rural Development Program (RDP) in order to promote knowledge transfer processes, innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas and to provide recommendations on improving the use of European Union (EU) support, taking into account the objectives of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) set out in the Strategic Plan for Lithuanian Agricultural and Rural Development 2023–2027.

The object of evaluation was RDP measures that directly and indirectly contribute to the creation and implementation of innovations, the promotion of various forms of cooperation in agriculture, food production, forestry, and research, and the transfer and dissemination of knowledge in rural areas. Three measures (M01, M02, and M16) are directly targeted at achieving the objectives of the RDP 1st priority focus areas of the RDP, while two other measures (M04 and M19) are targeted indirectly.

By analysing the logic of interventions and applying a theory-based evaluation approach, the effectiveness of measures contributing to the implementation of 1st priority of the RDP was examined. The main methods used in the evaluation encompass a comprehensive analysis of strategic documents and secondary sources, the collection and analysis of observed data, and a systematic review of statistical data. Additionally, the evaluation involves an analysis of target groups, a examination of cause-effect relationships, and evaluation of contributions and intervention logic. Questionnaire surveys (5) and semi-structured interviews were organised with project promoters and local action groups (LAGs). Two case studies were conducted (Pajūrio krašto LAG and Ukmergės rajono LAG). The results were synthesised through combination of expert assessment and meta-analysis methods.

The evaluation results for now are not publicly available.