Longitudinal Evaluation of Cultivator Phase 2
“The final report is just brilliant – factual and concise whilst being engaging and interesting, we couldn’t have asked for more; many, many thanks for all your efforts and hard work on this. It will be a joy to share with stakeholders – we will feel proud to do so, not only with it being a reflection of our amazing project – but as a piece of evaluative work in itself. You too should feel well pleased with it.”
ERS was commissioned to undertake a summative assessment and longitudinal evaluation of Cultivator Phase 2, a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund. The project was delivered by Creative Kernow in partnership with local Higher Education institutions and VCSE organisations. Our evaluation was designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the project's effectiveness in delivering business and skills support to SMEs within the creative sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The following elements were to key to our approach and to the success of the evaluation:
Thorough project Logic Model refinement: ERS initiated the evaluation process by meticulously reviewing the project's documentation and collaboratively refining the project's logic model with the client team. This ensured a clear and precise framework for evaluating the project's objectives and outcomes.
Mixed-methods data collection: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining secondary project data analysis with primary research. Notably, in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with the management team and project partners. Additionally, focus groups were organised with project clients, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the various stakeholder perspectives.
Interim and final reports: ERS first produced an interim report which highlighted the effective practice delivered so far and made recommendations for improved delivery. This step contributed to ongoing programme success by supporting the programme to secure a funding extension, ensuring the project's continuity until 2023. Our final report presented the overall outcomes and impacts of Cultivator Phase 2, drawing out the positive changes that business were able to achieve thanks to support from Cultivator. We also presented a strong counterfactual, i.e. what might have been difference in the absence of the support that Cultivator provided to small businesses in Cornwall.
Strategic context analysis: Our evaluation included an in-depth review of the programme’s broader strategic context, where we considered to need for this type of support in the context of both local and national economic and policy trends. This contextual analysis provided a robust foundation for assessing the programme's relevance and impact within the larger socio-economic landscape.
Future-focused recommendations: Our final report also presented insightful and well-substantiated recommendations for the design and implementation of future support business and skills support programmes targeting the creative sector.
Our robust methods and clear reporting ensured the integrity and persuasiveness of the evaluation, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of Cultivator Phase 2's effectiveness and its significance within the context of the creative sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We are proud to say that this has strengthened partners’ ability to design future initiatives and influence policy decisions.