Final Evaluation of the of the UNDP Project Promotion of Social and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Zerafshan Valley of Tajikistan July 2017 – December 2019 Final Evaluation Report Project ID: 00092983. Supported by the Russian Federation – UNDP Trust Fund for Development. Evaluation Team Nataša Milenković – International Consultant Jovidsho Juraev – National Consultant January 2020 The consultants would like to thank all who have facilitated the field work, provided information or made visits and on-site observation possible. Your cooperation is highly appreciated. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information given here is correct, and any factual error that may appear is unintended and is the responsibility of the consultants. This report represents the views of the consultants only and does not necessarily represent the views of UNDP staff or other organizations or persons referred to in this report. Project and Evaluation Information Details Project/outcome Information Project/outcome title Promotion of Social and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Zerafshan Valley of Tajikistan Atlas ID 00092983 Corporate outcome The project expected outcome was ‘Rural women and young and objectives people in Zerafshan Valley more actively participate in and contribute to the local economic life and have improved access to decent employment, education and health’. Project Objective/Component 1: Increased income and job opportunities Project Objective 2: Increased access to education healthcare and social services Project Objective 3: Improved capacities to effectively address migration issues Country Tajikistan Region Sughd region Date project document 4th July 2017 signed Start Planned end Project dates July 2017 December 2019 Project budget USD 1,699,680.00 Project expenditure USD 1,699,680.00 at 31st December 2019 Funding source Russian Federation – UNDP Trust Fund for Development Implementing party UNDP Communities Programme Tajikistan Evaluation information Evaluation type Project evaluation (project/ outcome/thematic/ country programme, etc.) Final/midterm review/ Final evaluation Other Period under Start End evaluation July 2017 December 2019 Evaluators Nataša Milenković – International Consultant Jovidsho Juraev – National Consultant Evaluator email [email protected] address [email protected] Evaluation dates Start 18th November 2019 Completion 31st January 2020 2 Table of Contents Final Evaluation of the of the UNDP Project Promotion of Social and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Zerafshan Valley of Tajikistan ............................................................................ 1 Project and Evaluation Information Details ............................................................................................ 2 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 5 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 6 Relevance .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Efficiency ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Sustainability and Impact .......................................................................................................................... 9 Network/Linkage ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Lessons Learnt/Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 10 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 12 1.1 Project Background .................................................................................................................. 12 1.2 Evaluation Purpose .................................................................................................................. 13 1.3 Users of the Evaluation ........................................................................................................... 13 1.4 Structure of the Evaluation Report ........................................................................................ 13 2 Evaluation Scope and Objectives .................................................................................................. 15 2.1 Evaluation scope ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Main objectives of the Evaluation include: ........................................................................... 15 2.3 Evaluation Criteria .................................................................................................................... 15 2.4 Evaluation Questions ............................................................................................................... 15 3 Approach and Methodology ................................................................................................................ 18 3.1 Desk Review ............................................................................................................................ 18 3.2 Field Mission ............................................................................................................................ 18 3.3 Analysis and Reporting ........................................................................................................... 20 4. Findings ................................................................................................................................................. 21 4.1 Relevance .................................................................................................................................. 21 4.2 Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................. 25 4.2.1 Project Overall Goal ......................................................................................................... 25 4.2.2 Project Purpose / Expected Outcome ........................................................................... 25 4.2.3 Project Objectives/ Components .................................................................................... 25 Final Evaluation of the of the UNDP Project Promotion of Social and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Zerafshan Valley of Tajikistan July 2017 – December 2019 4.2.4 Expected Results.............................................................................................................. 26 4.3 Efficiency ................................................................................................................................... 35 4.4 Sustainability and Impact ........................................................................................................ 39 4.5 Network/Linkages ..................................................................................................................... 41 4.6 Lessons Learnt/Conclusions .................................................................................................. 43 5 Recommendations to UNDP ...................................................................................................... 45 5.1 Strategic Recommendations for the UNDP Future Programming of the Support to Youth and Women Employment ........................................................................................................ 45 5.2 Operational Recommendations to UNDP on Capacity Development Methods and Approaches ........................................................................................................................................... 46 5.3 Recommendations to the UNDP for the Capacity Development Phase in Ayni and Kuhistoni Mastchoh .................................................................................................................................. 48 7. Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 51 8. Annexes ............................................................................................................................................... 53 8.1 Annex 1: Terms of Refference ............................................................................................... 53 8.2 Annex 2: List of Interviewees.................................................................................................. 61 8.3 Annex 3: Key Informant Interview Guide (staff/donor/public servants) ............................ 63 8.4 Annex 4: Focus Group Discussion Guide (for direct beneficiaries) .................................. 65 8.5 Annex 5 Comparison Table of the Key Socio-economic Indicators for Ayni, Kuhistoni Mastchoh and Panjakent ..................................................................................................................... 67 8.6 Annex 6 Table of Project