Socioeconomic impact assessment in ex ante evaluations: a case study on the rural development programs of the European Union.

Background: Ex ante impact assessment has become a fundamental tool for effective program management, and thus, a compulsory task when establishing a new program in the European Union (EU).

Objective: This article aims to analyze benefits from ex ante impact assessment, methodologies followed, and difficulties encountered. This is done through the case study on the rural development programs (RDPs) in the EU.