Mid-Term Review of the Micro-Project programmes (phases I and II) financed by the 8th EDF: 8 ACP ZA 12 and 8 ACP ZA 45

Detailed description of project Back

In order to respond to the needs of local communities with regard to development, the EDF participates in the financing of micro-projects at a local level which (a) have an economic and social impact on the life of the people, (b) meet a demonstrated and observed priority need, and (c) will be undertaken at the initiative and with the active participation of the local community which will benefit from the projects.

Microproject programmes (MPP) have been implemented in Zambia since 1985, when the first MPP was initiated under Lomé II. Since then, additionally seven MPPs have been implemented under Lomé III and Lomé IV, the latest being the 8th EDF MPP phase II decided in October 2000 with a commitment of €14,5 million. A total of 567 projects were funded under the 6th and 7th EDF.

Under the 8th EDF additionally 152 projects were approved under phase I, while the target to be achieved under 8th EDF MPP phase II was additionally 240 projects. The vast majority of the projects (i.e. more than two thirds) have been implemented and more than half of the funds have been committed to projects in the education sector, whilst the health sector accounted for the second largest proportion of projects implemented (16%) and funds committed (20%).

The target audience is the European Commission and the Government of Zambia. The Mid-Term Review was undertaken, as per the provisions of the Financing Agreement, with the aim of serving as a lesson-learning exercise for the application of future projects within the field.

Type of services provided

PROMAN provided the services of two international experts, both with strong background in mid-term reviews and evaluations based on the PCM methodology. The mission had to concentrate on impact, indicators and measurements of results of the programme.

The team of experts also had to thoroughly examine and evaluate the overall design, organisation, supervision, administration, management and implementation of activities carried out under the programme, in order to prepare a detailed report setting out relevant findings and concrete policy recommendations, which, in turn, should result in better project management.

PROMAN HQ was responsible for the backstopping of the mission and for the quality control of the reports.