Inside Profeedback: Interview with Mirela Tase
Leader of Working Group 1 – “Theoretical Concepts of Evaluation”
As part of our ongoing “Voices of Profeedback” series, we sat down with Mirela Tase, leader of Working Group 1, to discuss how her team is shaping the future of policy evaluation by focusing on the theoretical foundations behind effective political programs.
Can you start by telling us what the main goal of Working Group 1 is? What topics does your team focus on?
The main goal of this Working Group is to design an excellent evaluation and properly select among the potential methodologies the evaluator should understand, these are: the intervention logic of the given policy or programme, the incentives and limits of policy makers, and the technical limits (time, data availability and financial resources) of evaluation.
Have you been able to achieve these goals so far? What’s left to accomplish in the fourth year?
Yes, we think our goals have been achieved and this year two policy briefs for improved policy evaluation will also be delivered. These will be finalized before the dissemination events (Profeedback Closing Conference in Budapest) and will be presented there. They will aim to provide recommendations, conceptual and methodological frames for decision-makers and policy- makers mainly on how to take care of the implementation of new tools and policies. The Second Training School organized by Working Group 1, which is the 4th Training School in the project. “And the Life Story Book project is progressing as planned.
That sounds like great progress! What would you say are the best results your group has achieved so far?
We’ve successfully organized two training schools, and the Life Story Book project is also moving forward. Those are definitely some of our best results.
On a more personal level, how has being part of this Working Group impacted you? What have you learned from the experience?
On my personal level I have extended my network as well. I have been a co-author in submitting the policy brief as well as I have raised my knowledge in policy evaluation. I would like to bring my experience as a policymaker and share my knowledge of policy evaluation.
Have you noticed any new topics or issues that you think should be addressed in the future?
Yes, I think there’s a real need for more policy papers, especially for countries aspiring to join the EU.
How did the collaboration work among such a large group of members?
We set up several subgroups, each with its own coordinator. The collaboration worked excellently, and I believe it was very fruitful. The level of activity has been really high! Especially with the training schools—there were so many applicants that it was very difficult for the selection committee to choose the winners. The applicants all had excellent records, so it was a very competitive process.
📌 This marks the final interview in our “Voices of Profeedback” series. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the impactful work of our teams and leaders!