The Territorial Food Projects (Projet Alimentaire Territoriaux - PAT) are public policy mechanisms at the heart of initiatives to reterritorialize our food supply through cooperation between all stakeholders in the food system. In a recent episode, we discussed the importance of the dynamics generated by these projects for the food transition, underlining nevertheless the youth of the scheme and the difficulty of measuring its impacts.
However, there is growing interest among communities in evaluating TAPs. In this new podcast, Lisa Gerbal, consultant at Soliance Alimentaire, shares her views on the need to evaluate these projects, and explains how this evaluation can be put in place.
In 2024, the PAT public policy scheme will celebrate its tenth anniversary, marking the first phase of its review. Questions such as :
All these questions need to be asked at different levels. Firstly, at government level , as the TAP is a local extension of national policy, as defined in the National Food Plan (PNA). The latter establishes various objectives, notably in terms of social justice, the fight against food waste and food education.
Secondly, at the level of institutions that fund TAPs, such as ADEME, to assess the results of their financial support and guidance.
Thirdly, at the level of local authorities, as the TAP is the support for their local food policy. Evaluation is an opportunity for TAP promoters to take stock of the achievement of their objectives, the desired results and the direction of their given policy, in order to check that it is consistent with the issues initially identified.
"And finally, the evaluation will help reduce the criticism levelled at the system. Some critics see it as an empty shell. In fact, TAPs emerge from inspiring but under-appreciated dynamics".
Would you like to find out more about territorial food projects? Read our article on the subject here: The Territorial Food Project (Projet Alimentaire Territorial - PAT): from observation to action
Evaluating a public policy (or an intervention in the general sense) involves assessing and analyzing its results, comparing them with the objectives initially set and the resources deployed to achieve them.
Generally speaking, the evaluation of this action is based on 4 main criteria:
The difficulty in evaluating a TAP lies in its flexible nature and lack of precise objectives, as its prescriptive value is nil. Unlike other public policy instruments, such as PCAETs and SCOTs, TAPs lack structured methodologies. Their cross-disciplinary, participatory approach, the lack of a legal framework and the complexity of the food issue make them difficult to assess.
Despite this complexity, specific methods have emerged:
However, their demanding and time-consuming implementation often leads to local adaptations that are still very interesting.
One example is Redon Agglomération in Brittany, which uses a classic public policy evaluation method adapted to the TAP's scope of intervention.
Le Havre Métropole used both CEREMA's environmental self-assessment and a food resilience dashboard developed by the association Les Greniers d'Abondance.
Soliance Alimentaire is currently working on a survey and analysis of evaluation methods and their appropriation by local authorities. These missions have been commissioned by ADEME, on a national level, and ADEME Pays de La Loire, and are being carried out in partnership with a consultancy firm, Quadrant Conseil.
The need for tools to evaluate and monitor projects, and in particular to identify responsibilities, milestones and resources, is an issue that Soliance Alimentaire has quickly identified in its various TAP support programs.
The methodology proposed by Soliance Alimentaire aims to provide effective project monitoring tools for TAP project leaders, by supporting them right from the program construction phase in preparation for the evaluation phase.
More concretely, the proposed methodology provides tools at both operational level, such as dashboards for actions, and strategic level, by assessing the relevance of actions in the overall context of the TAP.
Beyond the simple obligation to account for the use of public funds, the monitoring and evaluation of TAPs is essential for several reasons:
Soliance Alimentaire emphasizes the importance of a pedagogical approach adapted to the monitoring and evaluation of Territorial Food Plans (TFPs). Convinced of the need to simplify this complex process, Soliance Alimentaire consultants are looking for accessible formats, favoring quality over quantity. This approach will guide the methodologies used to support territories, with an ongoing commitment to improved assessment and support practices.
In conclusion, the evaluation of Territorial Food Projects is a key element in measuring their impact, guiding their development and ensuring their sustainability as part of the food transition.
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In the meantime, listen to another episode of Manger c'est changer le monde:
The Projet Alimentaire Territorial (PAT): from observation to action
