Project Writing Corner: QA vs Impact vs Dissemination

In this space, we dedicate time to strengthening reflection and, potentially, your project writing skills.

Today, we focus on the Impact section.

In European applications, especially under KA2 (both centralised and decentralised actions), three distinct elements are often confused: Quality Assurance, Impact Measurement, and Dissemination KPIs. They are not the same, and clearly distinguishing them can make a real difference during evaluation.

Quality Assurance (QA): how things are done

Quality Assurance is about how the project is implemented.

It refers to the set of processes that ensure the project is delivered properly, on time, with clear roles, internal controls, risk management and quality standards.

In short: QA = quality of implementation.

QA is usually addressed through a QA Plan, which regulates the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. It is a fundamental component of any Erasmus+ project, not only for reporting to the donor, but also for monitoring and steering project implementation.

This aspect is often automated or under-emphasised during implementation. However, a well-designed QA system can genuinely influence the success of a project.

Impact Measurement: what actually changes

Impact Measurement focuses on what changes as a result of the project.

It measures real transformations affecting target groups and organisations. It does not describe activities, but rather measurable medium- and long-term effects, such as:

• increased skills or knowledge,

• behavioural change,

• higher participation,

• organisational or policy change.

Impact is not something that can be observed overnight. It must be structured around a clear and robust methodology.

Confusing QA approaches with impact measurement is a serious methodological error.

In impact measurement, we can rely on well-established methodologies such as Theory of Change, SROI, and other evaluation frameworks.

Dissemination KPIs are not impact

Views, downloads, social media reach or the number of participants in an event indicate visibility, not change. They are useful to understand who we reached, but they do not tell us what changed because of the project.

Having a KPI does not automatically mean it contributes to project impact.

Encouraging people to use a project result or engage with a social media campaign does not guarantee that a meaningful change has occurred, unless that change is measured and assessed.

Dissemination KPIs belong to their own domain: performance indicators that ensure visibility for the donor and help us understand our audience at a surface level.

How to write these sections effectively

Below are some guiding questions, by area, to support your writing.

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance is about the robustness of project management processes, not results.

To write this section effectively, ask yourself:

• How do we ensure that the project is implemented correctly?

• Which mechanisms prevent delays, inconsistencies or errors?

• How do we monitor compliance with quality standards?

• Which tools do we use (e.g. project charter, risk matrix, coordination meetings, quality checks, internal documentation)?

An effective QA section is concrete: clear roles, defined responsibilities, decision-making flows, procedures for validating deliverables, risk management and an operational monitoring plan.

It should reassure evaluators that the project is manageable, realistic and under control.

Impact Measurement

Impact Measurement has a different goal: measuring what changes thanks to the project.

It does not describe activities, but measurable medium- and long-term effects for people, organisations or territories.

A strong impact section should include:

• Consistency with project objectives: indicators must measure the expected changes, not the volume of activities.

• A clear measurement plan: when data is collected (pre, during, post), who is responsible, which tools are used, and how data quality is ensured.

• Measurable indicators (KPIs) focused on outcomes and impacts, not just outputs. They should relate to real changes in skills, behaviours or organisational practices.

• Methods and data sources: pre/post surveys, focus groups, interviews, observation, digital analytics, administrative data.

• Expected change assumptions: describing the type of change expected among beneficiaries or organisations, without necessarily defining rigid numerical targets.

Avoid common mistakes: confusing impact with the number of participants, produced outputs or implemented activities.

Impact is always about change, not volume.

Dissemination

Dissemination does not measure impact and does not ensure quality. Its role is to spread results, tools, knowledge and models.

This section is often overestimated. Evaluators tend to penalise strategies that are too generic (“we will use social media”) or poorly aligned with target groups.

To write it effectively, define:

• Who the target audiences are (policy makers, practitioners, communities, schools, citizens).

• Which channels will be used (events, toolkits, EU platforms, media, newsletters).

• The key messages to be conveyed.

• Dissemination KPIs (reach, views, participants, downloads).

• How materials will remain accessible in the long term.

Remember: dissemination KPIs do not measure impact.

They indicate visibility, not transformation.