Bildungsscheck NRW. Evaluation eines Förderinstruments

The education cheque, introduced in North Rhine-Westphalia, is a funding instrument which has been running since 2006 and is based on demand. This article presents the central results of an independent evaluation carried out in 2008. The quantitative aims have been achieved, or are likely to be achieved (212,000 attendees funded, 42,000 small and medium-sized enterprises approached by 2013, increasing attendance of continuing education courses in SMEs by two percent). On the negative side the article points out that many effects would have happened without the funding. Qualitative targets have only been partly achieved so far, such as reaching out to groups not in contact with education, or mobilising small companies.