Criteria

In accordance with EV's Terms of Reference, the objectives of an evaluation are to assess the quality of the operations financed, using generally accepted evaluation criteria, in particular those developed by the Evaluation Cooperation Group, which brings together the evaluation offices of the multilateral development banks.

The criteria are:

• Relevance corresponding to the first pillar of value added: is the extent to which the objectives of a project are consistent with EU policies, as defined by the Treaty, Directives, Council Decisions, Mandates, etc., the decisions of the EIB Governors, as well as the beneficiaries’ requirements, country needs, global priorities and partners’ policies. In the EU, reference is made to the relevant EU and EIB policies and specifically to the Article 267 of the Treaty that defines the mission of the Bank. Outside the Union, the main references are the policy objectives considered in the relevant mandates.
• Project performance, measured through Effectiveness (efficacy), Efficiency, Sustainability and Environmental Impact, and corresponds to the second pillar of value added. 
  • Effectiveness relates to the extent to which the objectives of the project have been achieved, or are expected to be achieved, taking into account their relative importance, while recognising any change introduced in the project since loan approval.
  • Efficiency concerns the extent to which project benefits/outputs are commensurate with resources/inputs. At ex-ante appraisal, project efficiency is normally measured through the economic and financial rates of return. In public sector projects a financial rate of return is often not calculated ex-ante, in which case the efficiency of the project is estimated by a cost effectiveness analysis.
  • Sustainability is the likelihood of continued long-term benefits and the resilience to risk over the intended life of the project. The assessment of project sustainability varies substantially from case to case depending on circumstances, and takes into account the issues identified in the ex-ante due-diligence carried out by the Bank.
  • Environmental Impact (and social when relevant) of the projects evaluated and specifically considers two categories: (a) compliance with guidelines, including EU and/or national as well as Bank guidelines, and (b) environmental performance, including the relationship between ex ante expectations and ex post findings, and the extent to which residual impacts are broadly similar, worse or even better than anticipated. 

Evaluations take due account of the analytical criteria used in the ex-ante project appraisal and the strategy, policies and procedures that relate to the operations evaluated. Changes in EIB policies or procedures following project appraisal, which are relevant to the assessment of the project, will also be taken into account.

The objectives of an evaluation are also to assess the EIB contributions to the operations and the Bank- management of the project cycle:

• EIB Financial value added (third pillar of value added) identifies the financial value added provided in relation to the alternatives available, including improvements on financial aspects as facilitating co-financing from other sources (catalytic effect).
• Other EIB contribution (optional) relates to any significant non-financial contribution to the operation provided by the EIB; it may take the form of improvements of the technical, economic or other aspects of the project.
• EIB Management of the project cycle rates the Bank’s handling of the operation, from project identification and selection to post completion monitoring.