Terminal Evaluation Report UNDP-GEF Project: Improving sustainability of the PA system in desert ecosystems through promotion of biodiversity-compatible livelihoods in and around PAs GEF Project ID: 4584 UNDP Project ID: 4855 Country: Kazakhstan Region: Europe and Central Asia Focal Areas (GEF-5): Biodiversity Land Degradation GEF Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Executing Agencies: Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture Date Version 31 July 2018 01 First draft 30 September 02 Final Terminal Evaluation Report 2018 Improving sustainability of the PA system in desert ecosystems through promotion of biodiversity-compatible livelihoods in and around PAs UNDP PIMS ID: 4855; GEF Project ID: 4584 Opening Page PROJECT DETAILS: Project Name: Improving sustainability of the PA system in desert ecosystems through promotion of biodiversity- compatible livelihoods in and around PAs Project ID: GEF Project ID: 4584 UNDP PIMS ID: 4855 Country: Kazakhstan Region: Europe and Central Asia Focal Area: Biodiversity Funding Source: GEF Trust Fund Strategic Programs: GEF-5 Biodiversity Strategy, Objective 1: Improve Sustainability of Protected Area Systems GEF-5 Land Degradation Strategy, Objective 3: Integrated Landscapes: Reduce Pressures on natural resources from competing land uses in wider landscape GEF Agency: United Nations Development Programme Implementation Modality: National Implementation Modality (NIM) Executing Agency: Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture Responsible Partners: N/A FINANCIALS AT PROJECT APPROVAL: Project Preparation Grant: USD 120,500 GEF Project Grant: USD 4,364,000 Cofinancing Total: USD 19,179,293 GEF Agency Fees: USD 436,400 Total Cost: USD 26,663,793 PROJECT TIMELINE: Received by GEF: 05 August 2011 Preparation Grant Approved: 27 October 2011 Concept Approved: 01 November 2011 Project Approved for 08 July 2013 Implementation: State Date: 3 September 2013 Project Closed (planned): 31 August 2018 TERMINAL EVALUATION DETAILS: TE Timeframe: May-July 2018 Evaluator: James Lenoci, International Consultant Reporting Language: English The TE evaluator would like to acknowledge the feedback provided by the interviewed stakeholders, including the National Project Director, Project Coordinator, the project management team, the UNDP country office staff, local partners and beneficiaries, and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. PIMS 4855 TE report_20180930_final Terminal Evaluation Report 2018 Improving sustainability of the PA system in desert ecosystems through promotion of biodiversity-compatible livelihoods in and around PAs UNDP PIMS ID: 4855; GEF Project ID: 4584 Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................. i Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ ix 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 Evaluation Ratings............................................................................................................................................. 3 1.6 Audit Trail.......................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.7 Limitations ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 2 Project Description and Development Context ......................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Project start and duration ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Problems that the project sought to address ................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Immediate and development objectives of the project ................................................................................... 5 2.4 Baseline indicators established ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.5 Main stakeholders ............................................................................................................................................ 7 2.6 Project theory of change .................................................................................................................................. 9 3 Assessment of Project Design .................................................................................................................................. 12 3.1 Analysis of project results framework ............................................................................................................ 12 3.2 Assumptions and risks .................................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Lessons learned and linkages with other projects .......................................................................................... 17 3.4 Planned stakeholder participation .................................................................................................................. 18 3.5 Replication approach ...................................................................................................................................... 18 3.6 UNDP comparative advantage ........................................................................................................................ 19 3.7 Management arrangements ........................................................................................................................... 19 4 Assessment of Project Results ................................................................................................................................. 20 4.1 Outputs ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 Outcomes ........................................................................................................................................................ 29 4.2.1 Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................................... 29 4.2.2 Relevance ................................................................................................................................................... 37 4.2.3 Efficiency .................................................................................................................................................... 38 4.3 Sustainability ................................................................................................................................................... 40 4.4 Progress towards impact ................................................................................................................................ 42 5 Assessment of Monitoring & Evaluation Systems ................................................................................................... 44 5.1 M&E Design .................................................................................................................................................... 44 5.2 M&E implementation ..................................................................................................................................... 45 6 Assessment of Implementation and Execution ....................................................................................................... 47 6.1 Quality of implementation .............................................................................................................................. 47 6.2 Quality of execution ........................................................................................................................................ 48 7 Other Assessments .................................................................................................................................................. 48 7.1 Need for follow-up .......................................................................................................................................... 48 7.2 Materialization of cofinancing ........................................................................................................................ 48 7.3 Environmental and social safeguards ............................................................................................................