CoLABOR will conduct the external evaluation of the Escolhas Program, a nationwide initiative that, since 2001, has promoted the social inclusion of children and young people from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds.
This evaluation, coordinated by CoLABOR researcher Bárbara Ferreira, is part of the Thematic Program “Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion”, within the framework of Portugal 2030, and will be developed based on an Evaluation Based on the Theory of Change, using mixed methodologies – qualitative and quantitative – that will allow the analysis of the evolution, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impacts and sustainability of the program throughout its nine generations.
With an estimated duration of 12 months, the evaluation process of the Escolhas Program, currently under the purview of the IPDJ - Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, IP, will integrate document analysis, interviews, focus groups and case studies, ensuring an in-depth and contextualized understanding of the effects of the Escolhas Program in the territories and communities it covers.
The CoLABOR team will benefit from the contribution of an Advisory Forum of recognized experts in the areas of poverty, social exclusion and evaluation of public and social policies, composed of Jorge Malheiros (IGOT/University of Lisbon), José Manuel Henriques and Isabel Guerra (DINÂMIA'CET-Iscte), Rogério Roque Amaro (CEI-Iscte), Rosa Monteiro (FEUC/University of Coimbra), Rosa Madeira (DEP/University of Aveiro), Isabel Menezes (FPCE/University of Porto), Manuel Sarmento (CIEC/University of Minho) and Bernardo Lemos (Statistician).
After conducting the evaluation of the 8th generation, CoLABOR has once again been selected to evaluate the Escolhas Program, consolidating its experience in the analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of public and social policies.
Learn more about this project here.