Policy evaluation using matching: the case of the Regional Nature Parks in Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes

Abstract

Amenities and their management are central to rural sustainable development issues. As a territorial policy tool, Regional Natural Parks (RNPs) have been created to protect the natural and cultural heritage as well as to build on these resources for local and regional development purposes. However, there is currently no answer –except on a case by case basis- to the question regarding the contribution of PNRs to socio-economic development of the territories concerned. This is basically a public policy evaluation question. In this context, we present matching as an evaluation method of the RNP policy. The units of analysis are the municipalities of seven RNPs in the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions. The main hypothesis is that there are twin municipalities of RNP communes but located outside park boundaries. The analysis follows 3 steps: i) selection of matching and outcome variables, ii) matching of RNP with twin municipalities based on matching variables and iii) comparison of the RNP and control groups with respect to outcome variables in order to estimate average policy effects. We identify the matching method that gives the best result, and conclude that RNPs seem to have effects on the local economy, particularly in relation to tourism and local employment.