Evaluation & Learning
The Early Action Neighbourhood Fund evaluation and learning contract is being delivered by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University.
2020: Year Five Reports
Final Evaluation Report. This report sets out the findings from the evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund along with conclusions and implications for future interventions.
The EANF Journey. This report shares the experiences of the funders, projects and evaluators of the programme. It sets out the enablers and challenges for early action from those involved.
Learning Summary: Evaluating Complex Systems Change Projects. A short briefing that outlines what has been learnt from the evaluation about evaluating systems change projects.
Funders’ Briefing. A short briefing that outlines the key findings from the evaluation that will be useful for funders.
2019: Year Four Reports
Learning Summary: Data, Evidence and Impact. This short briefing outlines what we have learned from the evaluation about the role of data and evidence. It also discusses our learning about suitable methods to measure the impact of the work done by the partnerships.
2018: Year Three Reports
Revisiting the Programme Theory of Change. Provides a summary of the process by which the theory of change has been revisited and updated, guiding the evaluation going forwards.
2017: Year Two Reports
Year Two Programme Report. Includes a discussion of the programme theory of change and its underlying assumptions, and emerging evidence from each of the pilots.
Exploring small n approaches to attributing impact. Discusses different approaches that can be used to attribute impact to an intervention when the number of cases for analysis is small - with a particular focus on contribution analysis.
2016: Year One Reports
Year One Programme Report and accompanying summary version. Includes the theory and practice of early action, EANF governance and funding, details of the EANF pilots, discussion and learning.
Learning Report - Building Alliances. Learning on getting people on board, building governance structures, keeping things going and widening influence.
Learning Report - Evidence and Data. Learning early action and the importance of evidence and data, EANF approaches to outcomes, evidence and data.
About the evaluation and learning contract
The evaluation has four main objectives:
understand the effectiveness of EANF pilot projects, why they worked and under what circumstances, identifying key factors within projects' theories of change that facilitate shifts towards early action
understand the impact the projects have, why they have worked, and under what circumstances, both in terms of improved outcomes for service users, and in cost savings or efficiencies
generate robust evidence that will help grant holders to deliver successful projects, and to demonstrate the case for early action as well as the transformation in service delivery required to achieve it
understand what has and has not worked in the design and delivery of the EANF programme, and the conditions of funding that are most supportive and conducive to this type of transformation in service delivery.
The evaluation is adopting a mixed methods approach to understand the process and impact of the programme. Research methods include interviews with key stakeholders in funding agencies and commissioning and delivery organisations, and the collation and analysis of data on project spend and outputs, and improved outcomes for those benefiting from innovations in service delivery. In addition, case studies will explore key EANF themes.
Learning from the evaluation will be shared through annual programme evaluation and learning reports and regular feedback to EANF grant holders, programme funders and more widely through learning events.
For further information contact: Sarah Pearson s.pearson@shu.ac.uk / www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/