Ex-ante evaluation enables analysis of the anticipated impacts of the planned programme. Analysis-based ex-ante evaluation endeavours to optimise the structure of the programme, the sequence of priorities, as well as the external and internal coherence of the programme. This evaluation projects anticipated results, and therefore estimates – in accordance with the indicators and parameters of the concerned area – the economic and social grounds of the approved priorities and objectives. It justifies the grounds of decisions recommending use of funding, and ensures all information needed for donor decisions and monitoring local implementation.

Ex-ante evaluation assesses whether objectives are clear, coherent and adjusted to the situation, helps the realistic numeric quantification of these and defines indicators enabling the monitoring of implementation, as well as reporting on results achieved. Indicators relate to financial resources, physical attributes (e.g. the number of hectares of urban area where construction operations are to take place), results (e.g. the number of trainees obtaining qualifications) and impacts (e.g. number of workplaces created).  

To summarise: ex-ante evaluation is a strategic target system based on situation analysis assessing the relevance and appropriateness of the system of instruments relating to this by analysing the factors listed below.

Previous experiences:
•    Socio-economic environment, strong points and weak points;
•    Internal and external coherence of strategies and priorities;
•    Quantitative definition of objectives;
•    Socio-economic impacts, use of resources;
•    Implementation system.