Single market programme mid-term evaluation : supporting study : executive summary

The Single Market Programme (SMP) aims to support a well-functioning, sustainable internal market through financing activities within six pillars relating to different policy fields. This report forms part of the mid-term evaluation, which has assessed the design, implementation and first results of the SMP during 2021-2023. It provides evidence and findings against a set of evaluation criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, EU added value, relevance) in relation to the overall programme. This programme-level report is informed and complemented by separate reports for each of the six pillars, which serve as annexes to this report. Evidence has been gathered from sources including: literature, programme data, open call for evidence, public consultation, surveys of stakeholders (beneficiaries of funding, participants in activities, national authorities, etc.) and interviews of stakeholders. The SMP Regulation articulates two general objectives for the programme, namely to: a) improve the functioning of the internal market; and b) develop, produce and disseminate high-quality, comparable, timely and reliable European statistics. The Regulation also articulates six specific objectives, which are pursued by six separate pillars of activities, as shown in the table below. A total of EUR 4.35 billion has been allocated for the 2021-2027, of which EUR 1.91 billion has been committed during 2021-2023, representing 44% of the total financial envelope. The programme brings together a number of previously separate predecessor budget lines and programmes from the 2014-2020 period. Activities within the six pillars are structured according to the objectives and needs of each pillar. However, all activities relate to one or more of three overarching priorities articulated by the Commission, namely: 1) Empower citizens, businesses (in particular, SMEs) and public administrations to get full access to the opportunities offered by the single market; 2) Support administrative co-operation, capacity-building and integration among Member States; 3) Support EU rule-making, standard-setting and enforcement.