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Project / Programme / Operations Evaluation 2023
Evaluation of the project ''Promotion of agricultural livelihoods and employment through investment in land reclamation and water reservoirs''
Agency
FAO

Summary

The evaluation of the project "Promotion of agricultural livelihoods and employment through investment in land reclamation and water reservoirs" (OSRO/LEB/602/NET) aimed to assess its relevance and effectiveness in supporting Lebanon's agricultural sector amidst the Syrian refugee crisis from December 2016 to May 2020. Conducted through a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation documented lessons learned and identified best practices to inform future initiatives by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The project was found to align well with Lebanon's agricultural strategies, significantly improving grant application processes and enhancing the technical capacity of the Green Plan. Despite the challenging operational environment, including political instability and economic collapse, the project exceeded targets for land reclamation and water conservation. However, it primarily benefited Lebanese farmers, with Syrian refugees indirectly included through labor opportunities. The introduction of the farm business school (FBS) concept was a notable success, providing essential training to farmers. Nevertheless, the project faced challenges such as inadequate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, leading to difficulties in demonstrating outcome-level impacts. The lack of a coherent theory of change and weak feedback mechanisms hindered the project's effectiveness. Sustainability remains uncertain due to declining government funding for the Green Plan and the absence of a leadership structure. The evaluation highlighted the need for improved integration of project components and better understanding of beneficiary profiles. The recommendations included: 1) FAO should explore opportunities to work on refugee livelihoods; 2) strengthen linkages between FAO projects; 3) enhance understanding of beneficiaries' needs; 4) promote the FBS concept; 5) develop corporate systems for cash grants; 6) establish a robust M&E system.

Report Details

Year Published 2023
Type
Project / Programme / Operations Evaluation
Theme/s
Agriculture and Rural Development | Water Resources Management (IWRM) & Irrigation | Humanitarian Assistance | Environment | Education | Governance | Labour & Employment | Banking and Financial Services
Partner/s N/A
SDG/s
SDG2 - Zero Hunger | SDG6 - Clean Water and Sanitation | SDG8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | SDG15 - Life on Land
Managed by Independent Evaluation Office Yes
Geographic Scope Country
Country/ies Lebanon
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Evaluation of the project ''Promotion of agricultural livelihoods and employment through investment in land reclamation and water reservoirs''