170 likes | 305 Views
Project Performance Assessment of Forest Resource Management Project (FRMP). The Independent Office of Evaluation, Internation a l Fund for Agricultural Development Lusaka 18 November 2011. This presentation?. Very preliminary findings Further analysis required
E N D
ProjectPerformance Assessment of Forest Resource Management Project (FRMP) The Independent Office of Evaluation, International Fund for Agricultural Development Lusaka 18 November 2011
This presentation? • Very preliminary findings • Further analysis required • No recommendations at this stage • Purpose is to identify what worked well and what not so well
Evaluation questions • What was done, and how well? • How did this relate to objectives? • Were there important changes in context? • Were there any constraints? • How well was the project managed?
Project context • Legislative and policy constraints • Non implementation of Forest Act • Non implementation of Zambia Forest Commission (ZFC) • Government commitment
Changes in project implementation • Early project closure • Shift in focus after MTR towards bee-keeping and marketing (not JFM) • Non implementation of Rural Finance component • From spot improvement to full rehabilitation of Social Infrastructure Development and Feeder Roads
Successes • Although not all targets reached there were successes in training and mobilising the communities • Beneficiary appreciation of social infrastructure (schools and clinics) • Innovative institutional set-up (use of CAs as implementation agencies) • Important learning experience of Government Staff in managing complex project and PPP
Progress: Community Development • Communal Management of Forest Resources • Evidence of understanding of sustainable forest management practices (but difficulties in practical application) • Only two JFM plans developed in WAs (i.e.Kikonge, Mufumbwe)
Progress: Community Management (cont.) • Natural Resource Mapping • Undertaken but of little relevance to forest inventories • Social Infrastructure Development and Feeder Roads • Undertaken but far below targets • Important community contributions made
Sustainable Income Generation • Significant number of groups trained and formed – however not always well targeted • Effectiveness of some training unclear (timing, number of days, limited M&E) • Not clear how effective the adaptive research has been but no evidence of tangible results presented to the mission
Project Facilitation • Concept of PFU and PPPs innovative – however implementation was constrained by lack of clarity of respective roles • Cost overruns, lack of ownership in government • Impacted on core components and ultimately reduced resources available to beneficiaries
Meeting project objectives • Project had marginal impact on the increase of incomes of poor people • Objective of building robust institutions and systems for management of the forest - not successful • Some uptake of knowledge and skills in production and processing – however no evidence of wide application • Some improvements of social infrastructure and access to basic services - however few compared to initial target and uncertainty about the relevance of certain infrastructures.
Challenge 1: Developing institutions for forest management • Complex policy and legislative environment • How to establish robust institutions in the absence of enforcement of legislation? • What is a ‘village resource management plan’? • Does it include all their priorities or only those funded by IFAD? • How to ensure PRA-based planning continues after the project?
Challenge 2: Building knowledge of forest resources and technologies • Are the technologies the right ones? • How to stimulate adoption rates? • How to improve market linkages? • How to improve quality and marketing of products? • How to target training (areas, beneficiaries, timing, length)? • How to ensure sustainability of skills and training?
Challenge 3: Improving living conditions and reducing isolation • Did the project support the right type of infrastructure? • How to ensure proper O&M in particular of roads?
Challenge 4: Increasing incomes and assets of poor households • How to manage expectations? • How to work with the community (groups versus individuals)?
Challenge 5: Sustainability and ownership • How to ensure ownership at all levels (i.e. government, communities) • How to continue activities after project closure (funds, human resources, policies, institutions)? • How to ensure that the lessons from this project are incorporated in future designs?
Thank you • For being patient with our questions • For your generous hospitality • Sorry if we got some things wrong, please tell us • Thank you for coming to this meeting • Thank you.