Counterfactual impact evaluation of human resources development

The methods of Counterfactual Impact Evaluation (CIE) have not been extensively applied in the case of the Structural Funds assistance in the EU. The main research question is whether the Counterfactual Impact Evaluation methods are applicable in the case of OP HRE (Operational program Human Resources and Employment), area of support 1.1 in the Czech Republic and what requirements have to be met. In case of this intervention, the “treatment” investigated by this paper is the enterprise support to training of employees.The crucial part of conducting Counterfactual Impact Evaluations is the quality of data set. The OP HRE was tested for the compliance with the data requirements (sample size, randomization for approval of the assistance, homogeneity of the assistance). The area of support 1.1 in the OP HRE met the basic requirement for the Counterfactual Impact Evaluation. There is enough assisted firms and the assistance is homogenous (i.e. there are trainings in just a few type of educational themes). The OP HRE support 1.1 offers possibility for the Counterfactual Impact Evaluation.