Impact evaluation Learning ecosystems

This assignment concerns the evaluation of the ESF+ Learning Ecosystems (LES) program in which 21 projects are currently supported in Flanders. The aim of these LES is to strengthen the desire to learn of Flemish citizens, young and old, and to increase their participation in lifelong learning. The projects achieve this by supporting citizens in real-life contexts in discovering and developing their talents, formulating future perspectives and designing a personal learning path. Special attention is paid to people who have difficulty learning within more formal learning contexts. The LES projects connect various formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts with a view to better alignment with individual learning goals and learning styles. The evaluation has two objectives: accountability and knowledge building among strategic partners and involved actors. The evaluation question central to this assignment is: To what extent and in what way do the LES projects and their learning offering contribute to strengthening the learning capacity ('learner agency') of citizens, especially those who have difficulty learning? To answer the overarching evaluation question, the client adopts a theory-based evaluation approach with a three-part evaluation strategy: 1. Formative evaluability study to further develop and refine the theoretical and explanatory model on how projects can contribute to the intended (and undesirable) effects and on this basis to inventory/categorize the strategies and learning paths used; 2. Empirical effect evaluation to investigate and explain the effects of the LES project offering on individuals through (comparative) case studies; 3. Knowledge sharing activities with a view to building and disseminating knowledge among actors from within and outside the ESF+ Learning Ecosystems programme. Tenderers must evaluate each part of the project in their project proposal