This represents the work of an independent contractor and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Europesn Commission
In August 2014, DG MARE commissioned an evaluation of the transitional financial programme (TFP) of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). The programme was established to provide financing for the further development and implementation of the IMP. The funding (EUR 40 million) aimed at supporting actions not covered under existing EU funding initiatives and sought coherence with other relevant EU policies. The programme was in operation from 2011 to 2014.
The evaluation classified the 70-odd projects funded under the TFP into five clusters representing the key intervention areas of the IMP. Data were collected through interviews with around 80 stakeholders, desk research of project and policy documentation and case studies of 12 individual projects.
The overall assessment of the five clusters Marine Knowledge, IMS, Environment, Blue Growth and sea basins and maritime spatial planning is that the TFP has, or will, achieve most of its objectives and will do so relatively efficiently. The policy framework is coherent and the actions have contributed to achieving this. The projects were relevant and have overall generated EU added value. The future programme would benefit from a review of implementation methods and focus areas, enhanced coordination between programme actions and additional efforts to increase programme awareness and stakeholder involvement.
A number of issues or key findings emerged during the analysis. In particular, cross-cutting and horizontal themes, sectors and topics have been gathered under the headings below. The key findings and lessons learnt target ways of strengthening the actions under any future programme.
Seven key issue areas were identified: