NER 300 lessons learnt : executive summary

ICF, SQ Consult and VITO were commissioned in January 2016 to review the operation of the 'New Entrant Reserve' (NER) 300 Programme ("the Programme") as operated through two calls for projects in 2011 and 2013 and to identify lessons for any further operation. There are two main objectives to the study: - First, to review how the modalities of the NER 300 Decision have performed to date, by looking in detail at the implementation and operation of the NER 300 Programme; and - Second, to investigate and compare these current modalities against alternative modalities, where possible, identifying lessons learnt that might inform alternative approaches to the programme. Lessons learnt have been identified in relation to: - Effectiveness - lessons designed to improve the achievement of the Programme in meeting the objectives of the NER 300 Programme; - Efficiency - lessons designed to improve the cost-effectiveness of the Programme, considering the use of alternative / complementary financial instruments and scope to improve the efficiency of programme implementation; - Coherence - lessons for improving the consistency and complementary of the Programme with other EU/MS policy measures.