Ref. no 1234
The Network of the Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union (INSULEUR) is seeking an evaluator to carry out three (3) Annual Evaluation Reports and a Final Impact Assessment of the “Mediterranean Islands for Sustainable Agriculture” (MESA) project, financed according to Regulation (EU) 1144/2014 of the European Parliament and the Commission. The project will be carried out from January 2024 until December 2026.
The objective of the MESA project is to increase awareness of sustainable agri-food products and production methods from three Mediterranean islands and their contribution to climate protection, the environment, and animal welfare.
This objective will be achieved through extensive publicity actions—proven for their efficiency and effectiveness—and tailored B2B initiatives. Publicity actions provide in-depth information to the general public on the close connection between the specific products and production methods, society, and the environment, focusing on their sustainable Mediterranean character and highlighting key examples from each island, particularly in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The first strand will result in increased knowledge among the German public (consumers aged 25–59 and 60+) regarding the sustainability dimension of the European Union’s policies and strategies (Farm to Fork, Green Deal, CAP) as applied in the three islands.
The second strand will create a critical ecosystem of producers from the three islands who are, and will be, committed to producing sustainable food products. These producers will convince multipliers and trade channels of the competitive advantages of the sustainable products and production methods being promoted, thereby increasing sales and exports to the German market.
The expected results include an improved perception among the German audience of products and production methods from the three islands as sustainable, as well as a direct economic return through the generation of €12 million in new exports from a €1.3 million investment over the 36-month project period.
It is within this context that the evaluator will conduct the annual evaluations and the final impact assessment of the MESA project implemented from January 2024 until December 2026.
Interested candidates should send a written proposal with the following elements:
1) Technical Proposal consisting of:
- Description of the evaluator’s profile and relevant experience.
- A proposed evaluation approach and methodology (1-2 pages) including a draft workplan;
2) A financial proposal that should not exceed EUR 26000 including VAT.
INSULEUR places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference (ToRs), are met. Accordingly, in evaluating proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From among the proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria set out in the ToRs, INSULEUR shall select the proposal that offers the best value for money, while avoiding any conflict of interest.
Proposals will be assessed and selected based on the most economically advantageous offer criterion.
Submission of Proposals
Your proposal (and any possible questions) should be submitted by e-mail to:
Deadline: 25 January 2024, 5:00 pm (UTC+2)
Maximum size: 5 MB
Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.
Terms of Reference
Annual Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Grant Agreement No. 10113857 – MESA
The Network of the Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union (INSULEUR) is seeking an evaluator to carry out three (3) Annual Evaluation Reports and a Final Impact Assessment of the “Mediterranean Islands for Sustainable Agriculture” (MESA) project, financed according to Regulation (EU) 1144/2014 of the European Parliament and the Commission. The project will be implemented from January 2024 until December 2026.
I. Background
Three Chambers from EU Mediterranean islands—
- the Chamber of Rethymno (Crete),
- the Camera di Commercio IAA di Cagliari–Oristano (Sardinia), and
- the Cámara Oficial de Comercio, Industria y Navegación de Mallorca (Balearic Islands),
together with INSULEUR as Coordinator, have joined forces to promote Union sustainable agriculture in Germany, the largest food market in the European Union.
The objective of the MESA project is to increase awareness of sustainable agri-food products and production methods from the three Mediterranean islands, and of their contribution to climate protection, the environment, and animal welfare.
This objective will be achieved through extensive publicity actions—proven for their efficiency and effectiveness—and tailored B2B initiatives. Publicity actions provide in-depth information to the general public on the close connection between specific products and production methods, society, and the environment, focusing on their sustainable Mediterranean character and highlighting key examples from each island, particularly with regard to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The first strand aims to increase the knowledge of the German public (consumers aged 25–59 and 60+) regarding the sustainability dimension of EU policies and strategies (Farm to Fork, Green Deal, CAP) as applied in the three islands.
The second strand will create a critical ecosystem of producers from the three islands who are committed to producing sustainable food products. These producers will engage multipliers and trade channels, demonstrating the competitive advantages of the promoted sustainable products and production methods, thereby increasing sales and exports to the German market.
Expected results include:
- Improved perception among the German audience of products and production methods from the three islands as sustainable; and
- A direct economic return through the generation of €12 million in new exports from a €1.3 million investment over the 36-month project period.
The Grant Agreement No. 10113857 – MESA was signed on 19 December 2023, and the project starts on 1 January 2024.
II. Purpose and Use of the Evaluation
Evaluation surveys are foreseen on an annual basis to measure project outcomes and results at activity level, both quantitatively (expected vs. actual outcomes and results) and qualitatively (cost versus outcomes and results, deviations, additional results, problems encountered, and mitigation measures).
In the final year, the evaluation will also include project-level results measurement and an impact assessment. The impact assessment will verify achievement of the project’s objectives and results, both informative and economic.
The expected informative result is an increase in knowledge among the German public regarding the sustainability dimension of EU policies and strategies (Farm to Fork, Green Deal, CAP) as applied in the three islands. The expected economic result concerns increased sales and exports to the German market.
Given the large size of the project’s audience—both consumers and multipliers/trade channels—annual verification tools will be applied to assess the evolution of expected results and the impact of project activities.
The evaluator will:
- Map the theory of change and define intermediate goals;
- Prioritize indicators and target groups based on influence, credibility, and opinion weight;
- Select evidence levels proportionate to realistic sample sizes;
- Apply quantitative methods to measure the extent of change and qualitative methods to understand how change occurred.
Indicative methodology for measuring informative results includes specialized research conducted in Year 1 to establish baseline levels of recognition, perception, and knowledge. This includes:
- Surveys and interviews with market representatives, multipliers, and stakeholders (expected sample: 500 questionnaires in Year 1);
- A continuous online survey hosted on the project website and promoted via social media.
III. Objectives and Scope of the Evaluation
The evaluation will assess:
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
- Coherence
- Relevance
- EU added value
The evaluator will also monitor project management and implementation, providing recommendations to strengthen administration and enhance the relevance, effectiveness, and impact of the project.
IV. Methodology and Data Collection Methods
The evaluation is expected to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including:
- In-depth desk review of relevant documents and online resources;
- Short online surveys and/or interviews;
- Structured online and/or on-site interviews with relevant stakeholders.
V. Roles and Responsibilities
INSULEUR will manage and coordinate the evaluation in close cooperation with the contractor. Project partners and the project team will provide relevant documentation and facilitate access to interviewees.
The contractor will be responsible for all logistics, including workspace, telecommunications, and document printing.
The contractor’s responsibilities include:
- Developing an inception note/report, including a customized assessment framework;
- Conducting data collection, interviews, and analysis;
- Preparing and finalizing annual evaluation reports;
- Participating in project team and monitoring meetings.
VI. Expected Deliverables and Schedule
Each annual evaluation report must be delivered no later than 45 days after the end of each project year.
Deliverables
- Inception Note (by 30 May 2024)
- Methodology and evaluation matrix
- 3–4 pages (excluding annexes)
- 1st Evaluation Report (by 15 February 2025)
- 2nd Evaluation Report (by 15 February 2026)
- Final Evaluation Report (by 15 February 2027)
Each report shall include:
- Executive summary (2 pages)
- Project background and description
- Objectives and scope of the evaluation
- Methodology and data collection methods
- Key findings
- Conclusions and lessons learned
- Recommendations
- Annexes (stakeholders consulted, documents reviewed, survey results, financial analysis, etc.)
Special attention must be given to:
- Consistency of style, terminology, and abbreviations;
- Logical structure and hierarchy of headings;
- Coherence of tables of contents and lists;
- Consistency of references and bibliography;
- List of acronyms.
VII. Profile and Qualifications Required
The call is open to companies or individual consultants able to enter into a contractual agreement as a legal entity. Candidates must demonstrate relevant qualifications, experience, and expertise in their proposal.
Call for Written Proposals
Interested candidates should submit a written proposal including:
1. Technical Proposal
- Description of the evaluator’s profile and relevant experience;
- Proposed evaluation approach and methodology (1–2 pages), including a draft workplan.
2. Financial Proposal
- Maximum budget: EUR 26,000 (VAT included)