Mid Term Evaluation Report

The evaluation focus was on three main objectives: Assessing whether the AFRITACs have provided value added to beneficiary countries; Assessing the extent to which the AFRITACs’ objectives have been achieved; and Assessing whether the AFRITACs have enhanced cooperation between stakeholders in their respective regions.

The FAO-EU FLEGT Programme supports government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector associations to work together in support of legal and trade reforms in timber producing countries with the aim of increasing legal trade in timber. The Programme, which started in 2008, is currently half way through its third phase of funding and covers 24 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. An evaluation of the third phase shows that despite significant shifts in timber markets and flows, the Programme remains highly relevant to national and regional forest governance objectives, national trade priorities and market demands. It is also well aligned to donor goals and objectives, particularly the EU-FLEGT Action Plan, as well as FAO Strategic Objectives. The Programme has achieved important results at country level including improved voice of non-state actors; increased capacity and skills; policy, legal and regulatory reforms; transparency and disclosure and improvements in timber legality.

Coastal fisheries in West Africa are essential for providing food and employment, supporting the livelihoods of men and women and generating income. The overall objective of the project “Delivering sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits in West Africa through good governance, correct incentives and innovation” is to strengthen governance, management and value chains through the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries, relevant international tools and innovative governance partnerships in Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Overall, the evaluation rated the project as “relatively satisfactory". The evaluation recommended certain improvements, particularly concerning the recruitment strategy and organization of personnel, co-financing, the results framework and monitoring of activities.

Many coastal fisheries are poorly managed and overexploited, resulting in suboptimal yields and lost revenue, and damage to other species and habitats. The Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) is a global effort between FAO and other development partners to address these issues in a holistic and integrated way. It aims to work at a practical level with selected fisheries and to facilitate a global exchange of experience and learning. The CFI comprises subsidiary regional projects in Indonesia, Latin America and West Africa, a sustainable investment support project, and a global partnership and coordination project. The mid-term evaluation of the global coordination project found that, while the initiative is extremely relevant, it has so far had limited impact of a strengthened global partnership. The evaluation recommended greater coordination between the subsidiary projects, a strengthened reporting structure and a project extension of up to two years.

Provides an analysis of the Operational Programmes relating to the NDP and the CSF plans. Covers issues of major investments and expenditures.

The project's specific objective is to “evaluate, adapt, and implement relevant best practices derived from the successful management of Huangshan National Scenic Reserve to strengthen and upgrade the existing municipal system of protected areas (PAs).” This is to be achieved by adopting a tiered, sequential approach applied to different classes of Nature Reserves (NR) grouped to best benefit from project-supported activities in a cost-effective manner. This MTE is being conducted for the purposes of both accountability and learning of GEF, GCU, FAO, and other participating institutions. This MTE documents important lessons to guide the remaining phase of the project and will serve as an input to improve its implementation. Likewise, it will present strategic recommendations in order to ensure that all the planned results of the project will be achieved if considered realistic. Project code: GCP/CPR/049/GFF GEF ID: 4526