25/06/2015
This statement is an internal evaluation one of the “Strengthening Sustainable Environment and Natural Resources Management for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation" implemented by Bunaporo Farmers’ and Needy Association (BFNA) from May 1st 2014 to May 31st 2015.
The project was implemented in ten (10) villages of Bunaporo Parish (Napala, Manafwa, Shaneba, Bunamondo, Bukotita Upper, Bukotita Lower, Malabasi, Namwaku, Buwakooli and Bumangoye). The project goal was to facilitate and support the implementation of a strategy for participatory management of watersheds, effective agro-forestry practices and sustainable land-use and included four outputs : (i) An effective communication system between key stakeholders is in place and made operational, (ii) An enabling environment for the sustainable management of watersheds and land is established and improved, (iii) the 100 beneficiaries are actively and effectively involved in the sustainable use and management of watersheds, land, river banks, and other environment and natural resources, and (iv) Small-scale alternative livelihoods and sustainable development, as well as empowerment activities creating socio-economic positive impacts are developed.
The evaluation took place from May 23rd to June 2nd. The BFNA-PMU Project Management Information System provided information which allowed the evaluation of the Project’s performance and explanations. The field data collection included inquiries and surveys with communities based at three villages (Malabasi, Napala and Shaneba). The data collection also included interviews with main Project partners and Bududa local government and Bukigai Sub-County authorities.
Impacts
This project presents a significant probability of reaching its finality for the following reasons:
• The monitoring of the project activities (acquisition of 27,813 fruit and tree stands against the planted seedlings totaling 28,422 shows the high likelihood that project will significantly contribute towards the realization of the desired and expected impacts. Indeed, the survival rate so far achieved is 97.8%, yet the benchmark was 98%.
• The proxy indicators (gathered by the project), show slight improvement tendency in house-hold income change, sustainable development and empowerment amongst the beneficiaries.
• According to the survey of the perception by the beneficiaries of the project impact: the improvement of in agriculture productivity, profitability and sustainability is very positive, raising the “ownership” (appropriation) of the Project and consequently its sustainability.
In addition, beyond the Project’s purposes, Project induced other changes (unanticipated impacts) on the local governance in general. Local populations have perceived an improvement in community mobilization. In the same way, the population has also perceived that following the capacity building, sensitization and training in effective agro-forestry management, watershed management, and soil and water conservation measures initiated by the Project during the first quarter, building cooperation relationship with other actors became easier for the beneficiaries and the community at large.
Project effectiveness
This project is effective for the main following reasons:
The achievement of the purposes of the project effectiveness is ranked “satisfactory”. The project goal “aims at implementation of a strategy for a participatory management”; it is noted that
• Mechanisms for enhancing biodiversity conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems are not in place
• Lack of effective Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices
• Non Promotion of Climate Change resilient developments
Output 1 (Mechanisms for enhancing biodiversity conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems areas in place and made operational) is largely achieved, Its achievement is ranked “satisfactory plus”. The majority of the activities planned for the production of this output were carried out: 97.8% of expected activities were completely achieved and 98% of expected activities were achieved at more than 97.8%. Weaknesses included inadequate feedback from beneficiaries due to bureaucratic difficulties and the destruction of seedlings, as well as fruit and tree stands during the circumcision period.
Output 2 (An enabling environment for the sustainable management of watersheds, soil and water conservation management and agro-forestry is established and improved), are largely achieved, despite a few short-comings. It is ranked “satisfactory plus”. Over 98% of expected activities were completely realized. 7.3 Kilometers of contour ditches were excavated in Bunaporo Parish and reinforced with 24 sacks of Napier grass. However, management plans of the contours for instance de-silting could not be institutionalized by BFNA-PMU which constitutes an obstacle to co-management.
Output 3 (Beneficiaries’ Capacity Development, Policy and Innovation) is fully achieved, without shortcomings. It is ranked “very satisfactory”. About 89% of excepted activities were completely achieved. CBOs roles are reflected in
• application of effective watershed and agro-forestry management practices
• their key participation in developing and implementing community soil and water Management Plans
• their volunteer involvement awareness and training in the neighbouring communities for example, and by accepting/involvement in the whole project cycle and
• CBOs’ growing responsibilities.
Output 4 (Small-scale alternative livelihoods activities creating positive socio-economic impacts in pilot sites) has a very high achievement. Its effectiveness is ranked “Satisfactory”. The assessment of existing income generating activities in the 10 villages of Bunaporo Parish was realized.
Efficiency
A cost-benefit analysis was deemed implausible given the complexity of the project, the logistic difficulties inherent in working in this part of Bududa district, and the highly changeable weather patterns.
This project was found to be sufficiently efficient for the following reasons:
The mobilization of the resources (financial, human and material) is in conformity with the Project’s operational planning. The annual “disbursement” rate was 100%.
All 3 activities were completely realized amongst the 3 expected activities.
Viability:
The project durability is fairly uncertain because of some unrealized activities:
• The lack of development of income generating activities to reduce firewood cutting-effort and the pressures on the riverine and watershed resources
Recommendations:
• WWF/UNDP and Government of Uganda, as well as other key stakeholders’, should support BFNA to implement efficient energy saving stove project, so that, the existing trees are not tampered with in the quest of search for firewood
• Lastly, the results of this Project constitute an interesting academic case study of participative environment and natural resources management which deserves to be diffused for a replication both in term of approach and in term of scientific capitalization.
