The EIF programme is centred on delivering results at programme and project levels. Evaluation is central to good EIF governance. To ensure that it invests responsibly, EIF continually reviews its operations to assess their effectiveness, learn from experience, and improve the development of future programmes and projects. Evaluation of both programme and country projects are conducted both at mid-term and at end phase.
EIF PROJECT LEVEL MID TERM EVALUATION
The purpose of project level mid-term evaluation is to examine and provide feedback on the implementation processes given the prevailing in-country conditions, and to determine progress towards the achievement of the project's objectives.
Project-level mid-term evaluation also helps to identify obstacles to performance, and provide information for the global programme-level evaluation. For Tier 1 projects "Support to National Implemention Arrangements" (NIAs) initially approved for 3 years, the midterm evaluation provides justification for an extension of the project to a full 5-year phase and informs the design of this phase. All Tier 1 projects will be evaluated towards the end of the first (3-year) phase. For Tier 2 projects, it is a must that, as a minimum, the first ten EIF Board approved projects will be evaluated at midterm, while a sample of approved Tier 2 projects (11th onward) will be evaluated.
For project level midterm evaluation, a guidance note has been prepared, which sets out the procedures and guidelines governing the mid-term evaluation. Read more
EIF PROGRAMME LEVEL MID TERM EVALUATION/REVIEW
The EIF programme level mid-term review (MTR) is built into the EIF programme. It is seen as an integral part of programme implementation and a necessary phase in the programme cycle. Accordingly, the results‐based management nature of the programme requires that it be reviewed at mid‐term for efficient programme planning and implementation and as input into the way forward in aid for trade programming for LDCs.
The main purpose of the MTR is to undertake an independent evaluation of whether the programme is performing in such a way as to achieve the objectives, identify issues and recommend programme adjustments as necessary. The MTR assesses progress made against achieving the overall programme outcomes, aims to identify challenges and opportunities and capture success stories and lessons learned from implementing the EIF for future strategic programming.
In 2012, a major milestone in the implementation of the EIF was the conduct of the MTR of the programme in order to assess progress and propose corrective measures in future implementation of the programme. The MTR concluded that the EIF as a programme is highly relevant to the trade and economic priorities of LDCs, is positively contributing to strengthening capacities for trade-related strategies and plans, is supporting trade mainstreaming into national development strategies and is ensuring a coordinated delivery of prioritized trade-related assistance. Although the overall MTR report was positive, it also identified linkages to related donor programming, leveraging resources and increased customization of projects at the country level as areas to focus on to increase programme impact. Read the report
As a result of the MTR conclusions and recommendations and ensuing EIF Board discussions, the EIF Steering Committee at its December 2012 meeting accepted the proposal by the EIF Board to extend the programme mandate up to 31 December 2015, with an additional operational period for project implementation running through to 31 December 2017.
FINAL REPORT OF THE EIF TRUST FUND MANAGER REVIEW
Subsequent to the extension of the EIF Programme in December 2012 following the EIF Mid-Term Review (MTR), the EIF Board considered and approved the extension of the mandate of UNOPS as the Trust Fund Manager (TFM) to December 2017. As part of the extension of the TFM mandate, the EIF Board decided to request a review of the TFM operating tools and procedures.
This review was conducted from January to March 2014 in Geneva by Dalberg – Global Development Advisors. The review is based on an analysis of EIF documents and interviews with global and country level stakeholders, as well as 10 in-depth country reviews and two country visits.
Overall, the review found that “TFM is delivering on its terms of reference… and has developed a set of tailor made procedures and tools to deliver on its fiduciary responsibilities and continues to make changes to include lessons learned.” The review determined that TFM was “taking appropriate steps to manage the tension between the two most important risks … (1) risk of misuse of funds and (2) risk of introducing control measures that are so complex that the funds cannot be accessed.”
The review has proposed recommendations to further advance some aspects of the TFM’s work, and these are being considered by the EIF Board. The final review report was well received at the EIF Board Meeting of 19 March 2014, where the “professional approach followed by the TFM and the value added which the TFM brings to the EIF” were recognized, as well as the fact that “the study really underlined the work the TFM is doing, particularly its flexibility shown to take on board new issues.” Congratulations were presented to the TFM team.
FINAL/END PHASE EVALUATION
The purpose of EIF evaluation at the end of the first phase of the programme is to enable the EIF Board to take decisions on the future orientation of the programme, which includes, assessing the extent of results achieved over the implementation phase and identify lessons learned. The results of the evaluation are to be used by the partnerships to inform the design of the second phase, if a second phase is to be pursued.
All Tier 1 projects with an initial three year phase and extended for additional two years will be subject to end of project evaluation. For Tier 2 projects, the first ten projects will be evaluated; the process will commence before the end the project phase. Subsequent projects, after the first 10, will be selected at random for final evaluation.
The EIF programme underwent a comprehensive evaluation between June and November 2014.
Independent external evaluators interviewed and surveyed representatives of all EIF constituencies, governance structure, programme and fiduciary management and visited 15 countries, out of 45 where the programme is currently active.
The evaluation concluded that the programme is relevant to LDCs trade needs and that signs of impact in terms of mainstreaming trade for poverty reduction are emerging, but a longer term horizon is required. It also found that the effectiveness of the EIF varies among countries, and that there is ample evidence of success in building trade capacity in many LDCs. The evaluation recommended improvements in the EIF efficiency and the inclusion of new dimensions such as linkages with global value chains, further involvement of the private sector and increased activities at the regional level. Based on these findings the EIF Board recommended the extension of the EIF programme for a new phase between 2016 and 2022, based on an agreement on new scope and modalities and the EIF Steering Committee endorsed the recommendation.
