Interim evaluation of Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zone programmes

LGF and EZ Programmes Interim Evaluation: Executive Summary

In early 2021, Steer Economic Development (Steer-ED) were commissioned to conduct an Interim Evaluation of the North East’s Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Enterprise Zone (EZ) programmes. The objectives of the interim evaluation were to assess the programmes’ impact and performance to date, including through targeted deep-dive cases studies of some of the most strategically important projects and investments.

This interim assessment will; provide evidence of progress to Government, help inform any related future funding rounds and provide a reference point and framework for the Final Evaluation of the programmes, scheduled to be undertaken in 2025. Analysis, findings and recommendations are structured around a logic model approach, with a clear emphasis on impacts over process. 

Understanding the impact of the Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zone programmes on the North East economy

Central to the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan is the region’s access to infrastructure funding, and importantly, how that funding is managed and invested across the region to create more and better jobs.

The Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zone programmes represent two of the biggest funding schemes managed by the North East LEP. Since 2014, more than £270m has been invested through the Local Growth Fund and £69m through the Enterprise Zone programme.

To help us understand how effective both programmes have been in delivering their objectives, and those set out in the North East Strategic Economic Plan, we appointed Steer Economic Development (Steer-ED) to carry out an interim evaluation of both the Local Growth Fund and Enterprise Zone programme.