Linking information on policy effectiveness and efficiency to budget decisions in the Netherlands

         This article analyses the Dutch policy evaluation system from a budgetary perspective. It addresses the context and scope of the evaluation system, explains the need for such a system from the perspective of budget decision makers, describes the legislative framework for evaluation, analyses the evaluation instruments and their impact on budgetary decision making in practice, and draws lessons for finance ministries in other countries based on the strengths and weaknesses of the Dutch evaluation system.          JEL classification: H500, H610, H830 Keywords: Netherlands, policy evaluation, effectiveness and efficiency of government programmes, budget process, budgetary decision making, evaluation instruments      