Assessment of the European Union Structural Funds support for improvement of quality in higher education in Lithuania: approach of experts in higher education

Abstract

The article analyses the effectiveness of support of the European Union Structural Funds (EU SF) in the programming period 2007–2013 as the financial instrument of public policy for the improvement of quality in higher education (HE) in Lithuania. Results of the expert evaluation revealed that EU SF investment was beneficial in respect of human capital, generation of ideas, fostering of created “products”, and the quality culture of Lithuanian higher education institutions (HEIs); therefore, positive impact of use of EU SF support on HE quality can be expected. However, weaknesses related to efficiency, eligibility and sustainability of investment use have been also identified. Addressing these gaps highlights problems related to the main aim of the use of EU SF support in HEIs in Lithuania: the goal of effective quality improvement in higher education is accompanied by the goal to spend money.