Evaluation

This evaluation of the role and contribution of the United Nations system to the Republic of South Africa was conducted between August 2008 and March 2009 by an independent, external team of South African and international evaluation specialists. The report is the outcome of a new approach to evaluation in the United Nations based on partnership between a national government and the UN Evaluation Group. It is an attempt to address the call in the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review for nationally led evaluations and capacity development in evaluation.

Environment and energy in various formulations has featured as one of the key thematic areas of UNDP’s work since the 1980s. In the 2004–2007 multi-year funding framework (MYFF), ‘Managing Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development’ was one of the five main practice areas of the organization. This evaluation assessed the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of UNDP work in environment and energy at the global, regional and national levels. While focused mainly on the period 2002-2007, the evaluation also considered how events before 2002 shaped the approach of UNDP to environment and energy, as well as how the organization is positioned to move forwards.

The ADR in Bosnia and Herzegovina covered the period from 2001-2008 and offers lessons that can strengthen UNDP programming in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as contributing to the organization’s effectiveness and accountability. The evaluation found that in the context of transition, UNDP quickly established itself as a capable and reliable implementing agency for the government as well as donors. In particular, UNDP has contributed to policy development and dialogue, including the incorporation of pro-poor concerns and the Millennium Development Goals into the national development strategy; national human development reports and strategic research on key issues have also been important in informing policy.

The ADR Islamic Republic of Afghanistan covered the period from 2002 to 2008. From its initial focus on early recovery, the UNDP programme has evolved towards an increasingly substantive contribution to the cause of security and development in Afghanistan. UNDP has increasingly understood the importance of the institutions of democracy, state and rule of law in ensuring a smooth transition process with prospects of long-term peace and development. Yet, not enough attention was paid from an early stage to stimulating and creating conditions and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and employment creation.

The ADR covered the sub-regional programme of the nine member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Barbados over the ongoing (2005-2009) and previous (2001-2004) programming cycles. The ADR notes that UNDP is working in a challenging and multifaceted development context, where relatively high levels of gross domestic product per capita and political stability occur side by side with considerable poverty, underemployment, gender and social inequities, institutional capacity weaknesses and vulnerability to risk, including extreme weather events. The ADR concluded that although UNDP has undertaken a subregional programme with a strong profile and reputation it has achieved only moderate progress towards longer-term outcomes. The ADR also found that the UNDP subregional programme had many commendable features and is respected by stakeholders and partners due to its consistent focus on improving human and social development in the Eastern Caribbean.