Assessment of Childhood Development Project (CDP), Yemen
Image provided by UNICEF Yemen
HLSP undertook the first external and independent evaluation of the
Childhood Development Project in Yemen. This four year UNICEF
project started in 2001and is working to assist the government to
improve the educational status of girls in primary schools.
The key project components of the assessment included:
- Community readiness
- Health
- Nutrition
- Education
- Early child development (pilot project)
A team of three experts examined the achievements of all the
project components against the annual targets for all thirty
districts and generated findings and recommendations for improving
project processes and results. These reports will then be used to
further negotiations with funding agencies as an important basis in
planning the extension of the project beyond 2005 and for
initiating discussion for possible renewal to a second phase.
In addition, the findings and recommendations from the assessment
will help to gauge the effectiveness of the special funding
mechanism established for the CDP (i.e. bilateral funds channelled
through UNICEF) and whether it complements government own
investment in the social sector for application in Yemen and other
countries.
The assessment contained the following objectives:
- Assess the extent to which the project has realised its
objectives.
- Achievements in terms of project development objectives and key
outcomes.
- Achievements in terms of outputs for all project components
included during the implementation period from 2001 to 2004.
- To the extent possible, assess the efficiency of key project
outputs with a view to identifying relation between cost and
results (including unit costs).
- Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the structures
established and/or strengthened in support of the CDP (including
management and coordination mechanism) and identify factors which
have contribute to successes and/or weaknesses. In addition, assess
the replicability of the structures supported/established by
comparing with alternative structures (i.e., Social Fund for
Development) for implementing such programmes.
- Review the experience gained from the tripartite relationship
between the World Bank, UNICEF and Government of Yemen in planning
and implementing the project, drawing lessons and recommendations
for the future.
- Review the range of project agreements between UNICEF and the
World Bank to make recommendations for the terms of such agreements
in the future.
Further to the evaluation of achievements against the key outcomes
and output targets, cost efficiency, and sustainability, the
assessment included a systematic review of the management and
institutional arrangements that have evolved in support of the CDP.
