The Envirolink Scheme was set up in 2005 to promote the dual outcomes of increasing the return on investment in environmental research, science and technology (RS&T) by facilitating its uptake by regional councils, and ensuring that environmental management by regional councils is fully informed by currently available RS&T.
This report presents the findings of an independent end-of-trial evaluation of the Envirolink Scheme. MoRST contracted Taylor Baines & Associates to carry out the study which covers the first 16 months trial period1 of the scheme from 1 December 2005 to 1 April 2006.
Purpose
This evaluation focused on the four Scheme objectives, namely to:
(1) increase the engagement of regional councils with the environmental RS&T sector;
(2) improve science input to the environmental management activities of regional councils;
(3) contribute to greater collective engagement between councils and the science system generally; and
(4) put in place an appropriate process to meet the above objectives (1)-(3).
Key Results
The small and medium advice grant aspects of the Scheme appear to be functioning well, and this is a consistent finding across all sources of data. The Tools process has not functioned well. Suggestions have been made that should improve this process for future rounds.
The Governance Committee serves a useful and effective function in administering the Scheme and enabling collaboration between participating organisations and the Envirolink Coordinator’s role appears to function extremely well, to the evident satisfaction of all parties involved.
The Scheme has increased the engagement of regional councils with the environmental RS&T sector. It has also improved the science input to the environmental management activities of regional councils and has contributed to greater collective engagement between councils and the science system.
Taken together the evidence suggests some substantial positive achievements for the existing group of participants during the first 16 months of the trial period. This is a significant return on the Government’s investment in the Scheme and participants expect such returns to increase in the future