Situation
Hærvejen is undergoing a significant development process, with many stakeholders working to strengthen the route through projects such as rerouting sections, improved wayfinding, and enhanced services and facilities. To ensure that these efforts are effective and create value, it is crucial that experience and learning are collected systematically. The Nordea Foundation has contributed funding, and Development Hærvejen has brought stakeholders together and coordinated efforts. Many local projects see the potential in taking part in the development work, creating favourable conditions for using an evaluation tool that makes learning and knowledge sharing an integrated part of the projects.
Complication
With so many different stakeholders and projects, a complex need for systematic evaluation arises. If experience is not captured and shared, important learning risks being lost – and with it the opportunity to adjust and strengthen the projects along the way. Evaluations are not a one-size-fits-all exercise, and there is a risk that projects will run into familiar pitfalls: an unclear purpose, questions that are not aligned with the project’s content, too many or overly complex measurements, lack of resources, choosing methods too early, unclear responsibilities, or results that are not actively used. All of this can mean that the evaluation loses its value.
Recommendation
To address these challenges, on behalf of Development Hærvejen and with support from the Nordea Foundation, Epinion has developed an evaluation tool that makes it straightforward for Hærvejen stakeholders to incorporate evaluation into their projects, regardless of size and experience. The tool can be used in project descriptions, grant applications and as an internal learning resource. At its core are twelve guiding questions that help projects define their purpose, target group, method and organisation. In this way, evaluation becomes an active tool that generates insight, strengthens decision-making and promotes knowledge sharing across projects. With the tool, evaluation becomes a driving force for both individual projects and the overall development of Hærvejen – benefiting local stakeholders, foundations and the walkers and cyclists who will enjoy a stronger and more coherent route experience.
