Enhancement-led evaluation
FINEEC’s evaluation activities are based on an enhancement-led evaluation approach. The approach guides FINEEC's evaluation activities in ECEC and all levels of education.
The defining characteristics of enhancement-led evaluation that guide the evaluation of education and ECEC are:
- goal and future orientation
- participatory and interactive approach
- the use of tailored methods
- focus on supporting change.
Enhancement-led evaluation is an operating principle that combines evaluation and active enhancement. Enhancement-led evaluation is participatory and based on trust between the evaluator and the participant and on the responsibility of education organisations to develop their own activities.
Enhancement-led evaluation has a history dating back decades in Finland.
Read more about enhancement-led evaluation:
- National evaluation of education and ECEC – Evaluation approach (2026)
- Enhancement-led evaluation at the Finnish Education Evaluation Center (2020)
Abstract: The role of evaluation in times of change
The 16th European Evaluation Biennial Conference – Evaluation for Vibrant Democracy
28 to 30 October 2026, Lille, France
Authors:
Mari Räkköläinen, PhD, Councellor of Evaluation, FINEEC, President of the Finnish Evaluation Society
Hannele Seppälä, PhD, Director, FINEEC, Board Member of the Finnish Evaluation Society