This Report has been prepared for UNCTAD in connection with the final independent evaluation of the United Nations Development Account (UNDA) funded Project 1213K titled “Capacitybuilding for the formulation and implementation of MDG-oriented trade policies in developing countries contributing to accelerating achievement of MDGs in the context of multiple and interrelated development challenges.”
The project’s total budget was US$694,000. Implementation was carried out by UNCTAD’s Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy Branch (TNCDB) of the Division on International Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities (DITC). Implementation commenced in early 2013 and ended in November 2016.
The Project’s objective is evident from its title, although changing circumstances in global trade and development led the project team to adapt its work to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda and a surge of interest in regional trade integration among African countries.
The main activities consisted of preparation of trade policy framework (TPF) studies, inter-regional workshops, national multi-stakeholder consultations, and advisory services and training. Nine countries benefited directly from the project. These are Panama, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Algeria, Tunisia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
The evaluation was performed between December 2016 and February 2017. It follows the requirements of Terms of Reference (TOR) issued by UNCTAD’s Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (EMU) and observes Norms and Standards and other guidance published by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG).
The assessment is based on detailed examination of six evaluation criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, gender equality and human rights, and partnerships and synergies) and 19 evaluation questions (presented in a separate Inception Report).
Key data collection tools were project documentation, discussions with responsible UNCTAD staff, key informant interviews conducted by phone/Skype, and an online survey.
