Students Learn Hands-On Approaches to Regional Policy Evaluation
From May 26 to June 5, students at the University Centre of the Westfjords took part in the summer course Regional Policy Evaluation, taught by Krišjānis Veitners.
The course introduced students to the practical side of evaluation, with a focus on regional policies and development programmes. Through mini lectures, interactive sessions, occasional guest lectures, and a field visit to a local development project, students explored how evaluation can be planned, carried out, and communicated in real-world contexts.
Throughout the course, students gained useful tools and insights for conducting social research. They learned about key concepts in policy and programme evaluation, different types of evaluation stakeholders and their roles, and common methods for collecting and analysing data. The course also placed emphasis on practical skills, such as designing surveys and interview questions, preparing evaluation plans, and presenting findings effectively to different audiences.
The instructor, Krišjānis Veitners, is an independent evaluation and monitoring expert from Latvia with close to thirty years of experience in the field. He has worked across Europe and the Baltic region on evaluations, impact assessments, and monitoring assignments in areas such as regional development, education, governance, research and innovation, social protection, migration and asylum, transport, housing, and culture.
As both a practising evaluator and educator, Krišjānis brought real professional dilemmas and field experience directly into the classroom, giving students valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities of evaluation work. He is a regular evaluator for UNICEF ECARO, EU-funded programmes, and national institutions, as well as the founder and Head of the Board of the Latvian Evaluation Society and an active member of European evaluation networks.
By the end of the course, students had developed a stronger understanding of how evaluations are used to assess regional policies and development projects, and how findings can support learning, accountability, and better decision-making.