FRA is on a good track, finds external evaluation

Access the full report here: External evaluation of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights >>

“Since FRA was established six years ago, we have come a long way. We have grown into a strong institution that has become a point of reference in the EU’s fundamental rights landscape,” says FRA Director Morten Kjaerum. “I am proud of what the agency has achieved to date. The findings from this evaluation will help guide us in the future - so we can increasingly help to protect and promote fundamental rights across the EU, both at EU and national level.”

Key conclusions from the external report include:

• FRA is considered a unique provider of comparative, EU-wide studies on fundamental rights.
• FRA is seen as accessible and responsive to stakeholders and their needs; respondents are satisfied with the agency's work.
• Member States appreciate FRA’s work at the EU level. However, they believe FRA should increase its relevance and visibility nationally.
• Generally, the coordination and cooperation with all key stakeholders, including with the Council of Europe, were assessed very positively.
• Civil society organisations are satisfied with the agency’s work, but think the agency’s mandate should be broader. The agency’s Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) is acknowledged as an effective cooperation channel between FRA and civil society.

This evaluation process is required by FRA’s Founding Regulation, which states that FRA must carry out an external evaluation five years after its creation. Ramboll, the independent external evaluator, interviewed over 300 of FRA’s key partners and stakeholders - either online, by phone or face-to-face. Questions were asked about the impact of the agency’s work, its efficiency and effectiveness, EU added value and coherence.

The FRA Management Board received Ramboll’s evaluation report at the end of last year. The board made recommendations based on the evaluation, which were recently presented to the European Commission and the Council of the EU. The European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions received the External Evaluation together with the FRA Management Boardrecommendations. The European Commission will publish the final report.

For further information:

• Ramboll: External Evaluation of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
• FRA Management Board recommendations

For further information please contact:

• Tel.: +43 1 580 30 642

Notes to editors:

• The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is mandated to provide evidence-based advice to EU and national decision makers, thereby contributing to more informed and better targeted debates and policies on fundamental rights.
• The FRA Management Board is the agency’s planning and monitoring body. Every Member State appoints one independent expert. FRA Management Board members have experience in managing public or private sector organisations and knowledge of fundamental rights. Two representatives of the European Commission and one independent representative appointed by the Council of Europe also sit on the Board. FRA Management Board members are nominated for five years. Members are not paid by FRA and only receive travel expenses and a daily allowance. The board meets twice a year. For more see FRA Founding Regulation, Art. 29(2)c.