Terminal Evaluation Report 2017 Version: 20170929 final CBPF: Strengthening the effectiveness of the protected area system in Qinghai Province, China to conserve globally important biodiversity GEF Project ID: 3992 UNDP PIMS ID: 4179 Country: China Region: Asia and the Pacific GEF Replenishment Cycle: GEF-4 Strategic Program: Biodiversity Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Executing Agency: Qinghai Finance Department, Qinghai Provincial Government Prepared by: Professor Li Jiao, National Consultant James Lenoci, International Consultant / Team Leader Terminal Evaluation Report, 2017 CBPF: Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Protected Area System in Qinghai Province GEF Project ID: 3992; UNDP PIMS ID: 4179 Terminal Evaluation Opening Page: PROJECT DETAILS: Project Name: CBPF: Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Protected Area System in Qinghai Province Project ID: GEF Project ID: 3992 UNDP PIMS ID: 4179 Country: China Region: Asia and the Pacific Focal Area: Biodiversity Funding Source: GEF Trust Fund Strategic Programs: GEF-4 Biodiversity Strategic Program 1: Strengthening terrestrial PA networks Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme Implementation Modality: National Implementation Modality (NIM) Executing Agency: Qinghai Finance Department, Qinghai Provincial Government Other Implementing Partners: Qinghai Forestry Department FINANCIALS: Project Preparation Grant: USD 100,000 GEF Project Grant: USD 5,354,545 Cofinancing Total: USD 18,349,000 GEF Agency Fees: USD 535,454 Total Cost: USD 23,803,545 PROJECT TIMELINE: Received by GEF: 23 April 2009 Preparation Grant Approved: 15 October 2009 Concept Approved: 31 March 2010 Project Approved for 05 April 2012 Implementation: State Date: 14 September 2012 Project Closed (planned): 30 November 2017 (this is the closure date indicated on the GEF website) TERMINAL EVALUATION DETAILS: TE Timeframe: June-September 2017 Reporting Language: English Evaluators: James Lenoci Professor Li Jiao International Consultant / Team Leader National Consultant The terminal evaluation (TE) team would like to acknowledge the feedback provided by the interviewed stakeholders, including the national project director, the project director, the project manager, chief technical advisor, PMO staff members, QFD officials, as well as officials from other provincial departments, local government officials, PA management staff, experts contracted by the project, and local people in the demonstration villages visited during the TE mission. Special thanks are also extended to the UNDP CO portfolio manager, programme assistant, and UNDP- GEF regional technical advisor. PIMS 4179 TE 2017 report 20170929_final Terminal Evaluation Report, 2017 CBPF: Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Protected Area System in Qinghai Province GEF Project ID: 3992; UNDP PIMS ID: 4179 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................ i Abbreviation and Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Purpose of Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Evaluation Scope and Methodology ........................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Structure of the Evaluation Report ............................................................................................................. 2 1.4. Ethics............................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.5. Audit Trail .................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.6. Limitations ................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.7. Evaluation Ratings ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Project Description ....................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Project Start and Duration .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Problems that the Project Sought to Address ............................................................................................ 5 2.3. Immediate and Development Objectives of the Project ........................................................................... 6 2.4. Baseline Indicators Established .................................................................................................................. 8 2.5. Main Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................... 8 2.6. Expected Results ......................................................................................................................................... 9 3. Findings .......................................................................................................................................................10 3.1. Project Design / Formulation .................................................................................................................... 10 3.1.1. Analysis of Project Design and Logical Results Framework ....................................................................... 10 3.1.2. Assumptions and Risks ............................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.3. Lessons from other Relevant Projects ....................................................................................................... 13 3.1.4. Planned Stakeholder Participation ............................................................................................................ 14 3.1.5. Replication Approach ................................................................................................................................. 14 3.1.6. UNDP Comparative Advantage .................................................................................................................. 14 3.1.7. Linkages between Project and other Interventions ................................................................................... 15 3.1.8. Management Arrangements ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.2. Project Implementation ............................................................................................................................ 15 3.2.1. Adaptive Management .............................................................................................................................. 15 3.2.2. Partnership Arrangements ......................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.3. Feedback from M&E Activities used for Adaptive Management............................................................... 16 3.2.4. Project Finance .......................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.5. Monitoring & Evaluation ............................................................................................................................ 19 3.2.6. Implementing Agency (IA) and Executing Agency (EA) Execution ............................................................. 24 3.3. Project Results ........................................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.1. Overall Results (Attainment of Objective) ................................................................................................. 26 3.3.2. Relevance ................................................................................................................................................... 39 3.3.3. Efficiency .................................................................................................................................................... 40 3.3.4. Country Ownership .................................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.5. Mainstreaming ........................................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.6. Sustainability .............................................................................................................................................. 42 3.3.7. Catalytic Role ............................................................................................................................................. 45 3.3.8. Impact .......................................................................................................................................................