Evaluation Detail

Sustainable Land Management of the Qaraoun Project

Evaluation Plan:: 2017-2022, Lebanon
Evaluation Type:: Mid Term Project
Planned End Date:: 10/2018
Completion Date:: 12/2018
Status:: Completed
Management Response:: Yes
Evaluation Budget(US $):: 20,000

Document	Type	Language	Size	Status	Downloads
SLMQ-TOR-Qaraoun.PDF	tor	English	369.33 KB	Posted	1109
Lebanon MTR_UNDP_Revised Report _20181208.pdf	report	English	1301.59 KB	Posted	1552

Title

Sustainable Land Management of the Qaraoun Project

Atlas Project Number:

00037371

Evaluation Plan:

2017-2022, Lebanon

Evaluation Type:

Mid Term Project

Status:

Completed

Completion Date:

12/2018

Planned End Date:

10/2018

Management Response:

Yes

Focus Area:

1. Environment & Sustainable Development
2. Others

Corporate Outcome and Output (UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021)

1. Output 1.3. Solutions developed at national and sub-national levels for sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem services, chemicals and waste

SDG Goal

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

SDG Target

15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Evaluation Budget(US $):

20,000

Source of Funding:

Project

Evaluation Expenditure(US $):

20,000

Joint Programme:

Joint Evaluation:

Evaluation Team members:

Name	Title	Email	Nationality

GEF Evaluation:

Yes

GEF Project Title:	Sustainable Land Management of the Qaraoun Project
Evaluation Type:	Mid-term Review
Focal Area:	Land Degradation
Project Type:	FSP
GEF Phase:	GEF-5
GEF Project ID:	5229
PIMS Number:	4642

Key Stakeholders:

Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, CDR, Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute

Countries:

LEBANON

Lessons
Findings

Recommendations
1	As SLM is a relatively new concept in Lebanon, the project should ensure that results of the SLM interventions, land use plan development process and scientific information collected in the preparatory assessments are communicated to a wide audience The project is developing scientifically rigorous methodologies for forest and rangeland restoration. The project should ensure that these scientific protocols are shared widely to guide further restoration efforts in the country The project could consider translating the restoration projects into Arabic to ensure that they are available to a wide range of stakeholders. It would be beneficial if the project reported on risks identified as moderate severity in the PIRs. The project may consider limiting the scope of Output 2.4 to strengthening the capacity of the MoE and targeted municipalities to enforce compliance with land use plans. It may be beyond the scope of the project to establish enforcement measures The project may consider limiting the scope of Output 3.2 to developing a range of proposed economic incentives/disincentives to promote adherence by the agricultural sector to sustainable land use practices. It may be beyond the scope of the project to trial or implement these incentives/disincentives. The project should focus on involving women in the alternative income generating activities. Where possible, the results framework of the project should be amended to include gender-disaggregated indicators.
2	2.1 The project should consider a no-cost extension of 12 – 18 months to account for the delays experienced at the start of the project and ensure that there is enough time available to achieve all of the desired objectives.
3	3.1 The scientific foundation established by the project is impressive. However, the project should consider moving forward with pilot activities to learn implementation modalities while the scientific assessments are still being completed 3.2 The implementation of agricultural SLM interventions should begin as soon as possible. This is to ensure that the project reaches its intended targets. In addition, agricultural interventions demonstrate benefits over the short-term and can enhance community buy-in for SLM interventions. 3.3 The project should develop a formal workplan for capacity development and institutional strengthening activities to ensure that it reaches its intended targets.
4	4.1 The PMU should prepare a report that shows actual and planned co-financing commitments 4.2 The PMU should complete the GEF LD Tracking tool to include the mid-term results of the project
5	The PMU should ensure that the independent consultant team developing the LUPs continues this engagement with municipalities to promote ownership of the LUPs

1. Recommendation:

As SLM is a relatively new concept in Lebanon, the project should ensure that results of the SLM interventions, land use plan development process and scientific information collected in the preparatory assessments are communicated to a wide audience
The project is developing scientifically rigorous methodologies for forest and rangeland restoration. The project should ensure that these scientific protocols are shared widely to guide further restoration efforts in the country
The project could consider translating the restoration projects into Arabic to ensure that they are available to a wide range of stakeholders.
It would be beneficial if the project reported on risks identified as moderate severity in the PIRs.
The project may consider limiting the scope of Output 2.4 to strengthening the capacity of the MoE and targeted municipalities to enforce compliance with land use plans. It may be beyond the scope of the project to establish enforcement measures
The project may consider limiting the scope of Output 3.2 to developing a range of proposed economic incentives/disincentives to promote adherence by the agricultural sector to sustainable land use practices. It may be beyond the scope of the project to trial or implement these incentives/disincentives.
The project should focus on involving women in the alternative income generating activities.
Where possible, the results framework of the project should be amended to include gender-disaggregated indicators.

Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

The first three recommendations relate to awareness raising of project activities and outputs which will be included in the upcoming annual workplans.

For recommendation 1.4, the CO will ensure that the project risks that are identified as moderate severity in the PIR are reported

For recommendation 1.5 and 1.6, the revised log frame takes into consideration the limitation of scope of outputs 2.4 and 3.2, the CO will request that it be revised if allowed by the GEF

Recommendations 1.7 and 1.8 will be taken into consideration during the design of future altnernative income generating activities and the results framework will be revised accordingly.

Key Actions:

Key Action	Responsible	DueDate	Status	Comments	Documents
1.1 - 1.3 Awareness raising activities included in the AWP [Added: 2018/12/10] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	AWP includes awareness activities New risk related requirements added in ATLAS and MTR report
1.4 New risk-related requirements included in the PIR 1.5 - 1.6 Logframe changes requested and granted [Added: 2018/12/18] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	Log frame changes accepted in MTR

2. Recommendation:

2.1 The project should consider a no-cost extension of 12 – 18 months to account for the delays experienced at the start of the project and ensure that there is enough time available to achieve all of the desired objectives.

Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

The recommendation is accepted

Key Actions:

Key Action	Responsible	DueDate	Status	Comments	Documents
The CO requests and received a no-cost time extension of 14 months. [Added: 2018/12/10] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	Completed during midterm review

3. Recommendation:

3.1 The scientific foundation established by the project is impressive. However, the project should consider moving forward with pilot activities to learn implementation modalities while the scientific assessments are still being completed

3.2 The implementation of agricultural SLM interventions should begin as soon as possible. This is to ensure that the project reaches its intended targets. In addition, agricultural interventions demonstrate benefits over the short-term and can enhance community buy-in for SLM interventions.

3.3 The project should develop a formal workplan for capacity development and institutional strengthening activities to ensure that it reaches its intended targets.

Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

For recommendations 3.1 and 3.2, the pilot activities and agricultural SLM interventions will be initiated in 2019 to ensure the timely implementation of the scientific assessments.

For recommendation 3.3, a capacity development plan will be prepared for the coming year (and additional extension) in order to expand outreach

Key Actions:

Key Action	Responsible	DueDate	Status	Comments	Documents
For 3.1 and 3.2 – AWP includes pilot activities [Added: 2018/12/10] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	Capacity development plan developed and under implementation
For 3.3 - Capacity Development plan developed [Added: 2018/12/18] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP	2019/12	Completed	Capacity development plan developed and under implementation

4. Recommendation:

4.1 The PMU should prepare a report that shows actual and planned co-financing commitments

4.2 The PMU should complete the GEF LD Tracking tool to include the mid-term results of the project

Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

Both of these recommendations are accepted and UNDP will act accordingly.

Key Actions:

Key Action	Responsible	DueDate	Status	Comments	Documents
4.1 Report on co-financing commitments submitted 4.2 GEF LD Tracking tool completed [Added: 2018/12/10] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	Completed during MTR

5. Recommendation:

The PMU should ensure that the independent consultant team developing the LUPs continues this engagement with municipalities to promote ownership of the LUPs

Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

UNDP PMU will ensure that the consultants engage with municipalities to promote the ownership of LUPs.

Key Actions:

Key Action	Responsible	DueDate	Status	Comments	Documents
Engagement-related responsibilities included in the TOR of IC’s [Added: 2018/12/10] [Last Updated: 2019/11/06]	UNDP CO	2019/12	Completed	Municipalities engaged in the LUPs through various activities

Sustainable Land Management of the Qaraoun Project

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Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

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Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

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Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

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Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

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Management Response: [Added: 2018/12/10]

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