Title: Programme of Catalytic Support to Implement the UNCCD in West Asia and North Africa
1Programme of Catalytic Support to Implement the
UNCCD in West Asia and North Africa
- Findings
- of the
- Mid-Term Review
- April-May 2004
2Objectives of the review
- Assess the extent of achievement of intended
results.
- Identify opportunities, challenges and lessons
learnt during implementation.
- Assess the relevance of continuing Finish support
after June 2005 (end of funding agreement).
3Review issues
- Relevance
- Effectiveness
- Impact
- Efficiency
- Sustainability
- Programme organisation, personnel and management
procedures
- Replicability
- Feasibility of the work-plan for the remaining
program period.
4Methodology of the review
- Briefings at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in
Helsinki and at the UNDP Dryland Development
Centre in Beirut.
- Desk review of monitoring and reporting
information.
- Field visits and meetings with national partners
and local stakeholders (UNDP country offices,
relevant national institutions, local
cooperatives and NGOs) in 3 programme countries
Lebanon, Syria and Morocco.
5Major findings
6Relevance
- The DDC-AS programme is relevant and compatible
with
- Major global and regional commitments related to
the sustainable development of drylands (UNCCD,
WSSD)
- National development priorities of the countries
in the region and
- Finlands international environment and
development policies and strategies.
-
7Relevance
- The programme is contributing to the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals
- MDG 1 Poverty/drylands linkages.
- MDG 7 Mainstreaming and reverting environmental
degradation.
- MDG 8 Innovative partnership for programme
implementation.
8Relevance
- The relevance of programme activities to the
various stakeholders in the region is
continuously checked by participatory and
transparent planning and continuous monitoring
and evaluation.
9Effectiveness
-
- Extent of progress towards the achievement of
intended results
10Phase I (Jan 2001-April 2003) Objectives
- Establishment of a Technical Assistance Unit to
support CCD implementation in programme
countries.
- Provision of support to NAP processes.
- Elaboration of a resource mobilization strategy.
11Phase II (June 2003-June 2005) Intended outcomes
- Support to national dryland development processes
provided through capacity building, advocacy,
resource mobilisation and innovative
programming. - Support to Arab/regional and sub-regional
drylands development processes provided through
policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge
networking.
12Effectiveness
- Achievements at the national level
13NAP Process
- Significant progress has been achieved in the
implementation of the CCD in programme countries
(mid-term review report, 2004).
-
- At the start of the programme, the NAP process
was either not initiated or in its early stages
in most countries.
14NAP Process
- Today (Phase I countries)
- Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco and Syria have
elaborated their NAPs.
- In Jordan, the process is in its final stages.
- In Yemen, the process remains slow due to limited
institutional capacities.
-
15NAP Process
- Phase II countries
- Project documents to channel programme assistance
have been formulated in Iran (support to
nomadic/pastoral systems) and Tunisia (support to
NAP implementation in 4 governorates). - In Palestine a project document is being
formulated (building local capacities in natural
resource management in the West Bank).
16Achievements at the national level(contd)
- Building capacities of local institutions towards
better land management (local governance for NRM
in Yemen, participatory approaches in Lebanon,
improved land management practices in Morocco and
Syria) - Poverty alleviation and the promotion of
sustainable livelihoods (major poverty / dryland
programme in Morocco emerging pastoral
initiative in Iran).
17Achievements at the national levelResource
mobilisation
- The programme has been very effective in
mobilizing significant resources for UNCCD
implementation in partner countries (mid-term
review report, 2004). -
- Core resources of UNDP country offices and
national contributions are used for supporting
the implementation of programme activities at the
national level.
18Achievements at the national levelResource
mobilisation
-
- The catalytic resources of the DDC-AS allocated
for national programmes, amounting to 805,000 USD
(excluding the funds earmarked for Palestine
where project formulation is still underway), are
channelled into a programming portfolio of about
USD 5.5 million (mid-term review report, 2004).
19Effectiveness
- Achievements at the regional level
20Achievements at the regional level
- SRAP-WA
- Support to national NAP processes, a necessary
prerequisite for SRAP processes.
- Signature of a framework of cooperation with
UNEP/ROWA to support SRAP-WA process.
- Support to the implementation of pilot SRAP-WA
activities in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
21Achievements at the regional level
- 2. Monitoring desertification and CCD
implementation
- The DDC-AS programme has explored on-going
efforts in the field
- GTZ is developing such a system in Lebanon and is
building the capacity of ACSAD to serve as a
service provider in this field in the Mashreq
region - In the Maghreb region, a similar initiative is
undertaken by UMA/OSS with the support of the EC
- The programme will seek to promote networking and
exchange of experience among these two
initiatives
22Achievements at the regional level
- 3. Thematic and Challenge Papers and Other
Publications
- The DDC-AS programme contributed to the
preparation of two challenge papers for the
Global Drylands Imperative on 1) Pastoralism and
Mobility in Drylands, and 2) Land Tenure Reform
in Drylands. - The two papers were presented at the CCD/COP6 in
Cuba and served as a basis for the development of
two global GEF projects on pastoralism and land
tenure.
23Achievements at the regional level
- 4. Support to emerging initiatives COP-SL
-
- The COP-SL (Community of practice on Sustainable
Livelihoods in Drylands) was launched in January
2003 - with funding from the Mediterranean
Development Forum (joint financing of the World
Bank and the UNDP) in response to a need for
gathering collective knowledge related to dryland
livelihoods. -
24Achievements at the regional level
- 4- Support to emerging initiatives COP-SL
- COP-SL is managed by the Environment and
Sustainable Development Unit of the American
University of Beirut.
- It provides a discussion forum for research and
development practitioners in the MENA region.
-
25Achievements at the regional level
- 4-Support to emerging initiatives COP-SL
- DDC-AS organised a Regional Capacity Building
Workshop on Integrated Drylands Development in
Lebanon in October 2003 - with the COP-SL
- About 30 representatives from programme countries
participated.
- Participants endorsed the integrated approach to
drylands development promoted by the DDC-AS and
the mandate of the COP-SL.
26Achievements at the regional level
- 4-Support to emerging initiatives COP-SL
- Major recommendations of the regional workshop
were
- 1- Elaboration and dissemination of case
studies
- 2- Supporting knowledge sharing and experience
exchange among members
- 3- Development of a proposal for a regional
project with the objective of improving marketing
of dryland products and services
27Achievements at the regional level
- 5- Support to emerging needs Marketing of
Dryland Products
- DDC-AS will address this need by developing a
regional project to promote the marketing of
dryland products through a variety of ways
- - Promotion of organic agriculture
- - Building capacity for the production of
quality products (e.g. Geographical Indications
)
- - Building and promoting eco/agri-tourism
networks.
-
28EffectivenessMain achievements
- Fully-functional, cost-effective,
technically-credible TAU
- Major progress in UNCCD implementation in
programme countries
- Strong network of national and regional
partners
- Substantial amounts of financial resources
mobilized
- Increasing contribution to regional/sub-regional
initiatives
- Emerging drylands development knowledge network.
29Efficiency
- The programme has used its modest resources
very efficiently (mid-term review report, 2004)
-
30EfficiencyFacilitating factors
- Programme builds on well-established UNDP
network technical, management and administrative
support by country offices and knowledge
management services of Sub-Regional Resource
Facility (SURF-AS). - Integration of CCD/drylands in UNDP Country
Cooperation Frameworks and contribution of core
resources for programme implementation.
- Strong substantive guidance by the Centre through
policy advice, technical backstopping and
knowledge management (Integrated Drylands
Development Programme guiding framework).
31EfficiencyChallenging Factors
- Financial resources are modest for a regional
programme of this nature (i.e. support to nine
programme countries, regional initiatives and
knowledge sharing) - Shortage of human resources in DDC-AS relative to
the tasks required provision of sufficient
support for the implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of national programmes, and the
response to emerging needs (e.g. development of
GEF/OP15 projects)
32Impact
- The programme has contributed to the
establishment of a firm basis for UNCCD
implementation in partner countries
- (Mid-term review report, 2004).
33Major impacts
- The programme mobilised significant resources for
UNCCD implementation in partner countries.
- The programme introduced an innovative approach
to UNCCD implementation linking it to poverty
alleviation and the promotion of local
governance.
34Major impacts
- 3- The programme promoted the mainstreaming of
UNCCD implementation into national policy and
planning frameworks (e.g. national development
plan in Syria, decentralisation and local
governance programme in Yemen, rural development
strategy in Morocco, and agricultural policy in
Lebanon).
35Major impacts
- 4- The programme promoted the mainstreaming of
UNCCD implementation into UNDP Country
Co-operation Frameworks (CCF) in partner
countries. -
36Major impacts
- 5- The programme enhanced the quality and pace
of National Action Programme (NAP) elaboration
processes (including the promotion of
participatory approaches and local level
involvement). - 6- The programme supported awareness raising,
capacity building, and partnership building.
-
37Major impactsLinkage to Arab HDR (2002)
- Additionally, the programme addresses the three
deficits impeding human development in the region
namely governance, empowerment of women and
knowledge by supporting - 1) Decentralization efforts using natural
resources management as an entry point (i.e.
local governance for NRM)
38Major impactsLinkage to Arab HDR (2002)
- 2) Gender-sensitive programming aiming at
building the capacities of women stakeholders
(e.g. 45 of participants in regional workshop)
and supporting local development initiatives led
by women (e.g. Lebanon and Morocco). - 3) Acquisition and effective utilization of
knowledge to promote the development of
marginal/drylands (e.g. community of practice,
challenge papers, etc.).
39Sustainability
- The programme has made important steps towards
improving the sustainability of UNCCD
implementation in partner countries at many
levels institutional, financial, environmental,
political and social (mid-term review report,
2004).
40Institutional sustainability
- 1-At the programme level
- The programme has been institutionalised into
the regional Arab States Programme of the DDC,
with the Regional Programme Manager and the
Regional Programme Associate having now
fixed-term positions with UNDP/DDC. -
41Institutional sustainability
- 2- At the partner country level
- The programme is promoting the mainstreaming of
UNCCD implementation into national development
frameworks and UNDP Country Cooperation
Frameworks. - Challenge
- more support to most of the partner
countries for such mainstreaming and integration
is likely to be needed (mid-term review report,
2004)
42Financial sustainability
- By mainstreaming UNCCD implementation into
national development and country cooperation
frameworks, the programme has succeeded in
mobilizing significant resources and in
establishing fruitful partnership arrangements. -
43Financial sustainability
- Challenge The possibilities to strengthen the
role of the private sector in financing NAP
implementation and to utilise the UNFCCC
financing mechanisms, particularly the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM), will need to be
explored (mid-term review report, 2004). -
44Environmental sustainability
- The programme is promoting the sustainable
development of the drylands through awareness
raising, capacity building, resource mobilization
and the search for opportunities to improve the
livelihoods of dryland people. -
45Political and social sustainability
- To a considerable extent, the programme has
raised the awareness of political decision makers
in partner countries on the problems of
desertification and land degradation, their
driving forces and their and socio-economic
repercussions (mid-term review report, 2004). -
46Political and social sustainability
- The programme has also strengthened the
capacities of various stakeholders for the CCD
implementation at the (sub)regional, national and
local levels (mid-term review report, 2004)
47Political and social sustainability
- Challenge
- Affected countries are continuously confronted
with a number of challenges. The DDC-AS programme
will need to address these challenges through
facilitating dialogue, exploring context-specific
solutions and disseminating experiences at the
local, national, (sub)regional and global
levels(Mid-term review report, 2004).
48Programme organization and management
- The programme is implemented by the competent
but small staff of the DDC-AS
- The DDC-AS programme has robust and transparent
management procedures based on the UNDP rules and
regulations.
- (Mid-term review report, 2004)
49Programme organization and management
- Support provided by TAU through UNDP COs
(programme and admin/finance staff) projects
executed nationally according to UNDPs NEX
modalities - Adoption of results-based management for
programme delivery (Programme Results Framework).
- Programme countries submit semi-annual progress
and financial reports. Annual review by UNDP and
national partners.
- Personnel include Programme Manager, Assistant
and JPO (till April 2004) supported by network
of key consultants.
50Programme organization and management
-
- Projects in partner countries are nationally
executed (NEX national execution as opposed to
DEX or direct execution by UNDP).
-
- The advantages of NEX arrangements are
- 1) they foster national ownership
- 2) they secure co-financing by national
partners.
-
51Programme organization and management
-
- Challenge
- NEX arrangements have an inherent weakness
related to the management capacities of national
partners. Significant resources (time and money)
should be invested to strengthen programme
monitoring, reporting and evaluation in partner
countries.
52Programme organization and management
- Main recommendations
- There is an immediate need for recruiting a new
Junior Programme Officer (JPO) who is technically
experienced in the main fields of forthcoming
activities (e.g. agriculture, soil conservation,
water). - 2. It is necessary to utilise increasingly
national and regional consultant(s) on a retainer
basis.
- 3. Finnish involvement in the planning,
implementation and monitoring of the programme
should be strengthened.
- (Mid-term review report, 2004)
53Programme organization and management
- Main recommendations
- More detailed work planning and budgeting would
provide a more solid basis for the monitoring,
reporting and evaluation of the programme.
- 5. Increased specificity concerning the actual
contributions of the programme towards the
progress achieved in the national and (sub)
regional processes. - 6. Conclusions and summaries on the impacts of
the programme activities and lessons learned
would be useful. (Mid-term review report,
2004).
54Replicability
- The approach of the Programme has proved to be
successful Partnership between Finland and
UNDP
- Building on substantive track record of DDC and
UNDP country office network and partners
- Strategic use of catalytic resources to leverage
additional resources including national - for
implementation
- Provision of policy and technical advisory
services with support of network of
experts/institutions from the region
- Well-established, results-based monitoring and
reporting procedures.
55Replicability
- Requests for assistance to replicate the approach
for DDCs Africa/CCD Programme (funded by Norway
and others), and for extension of support to
Central Asia. -
- Case studies/publications have been prepared to
document good practices, lessons learned and
policy implications (Aarsal Story, case studies,
policy notes).
56Replicability
- The successful approaches for regional
co-operation developed in the DDC-AS programme
would certainly benefit other regional programmes
supported by the MFA, such as the Basel
Convention Regional Centre of the Arab States,
which is being established in Cairo University.
Opportunities for exchanging experiences between
these two regional centres should be organised
(mid-term review report).
57Replicability
- Challenge
- Additional efforts will be needed to support
the dissemination, adoption and
institutionalisation of the good practices
(mid-term review report, 2004).
58Main recommendations Summary
- Hiring of one or more regional/national
consultants to support the human resource
potential of the DDC-AS programme.
- Improving impact-based reporting through capacity
building of national partners in NEX projects.
- Strengthening the role of Finland in programme
implementation.
59Major recommendations
- Continuation of Finnish support beyond the
current phase.
- Conduction of a need assessment survey to design
the next phase of the programme.
- Preparation of a draft programme document, for
the next phase (e.g. July 2005 2008).
- Explore the feasibility of extending programme
support to Egypt, Djibouti and Iraq.