Mid-Term Evaluation of the Basic Needs Trust Fund 7 and 8

Under the Basic Needs Trust Fund Sixth Programme (BNTF 6) approved by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Board of Directors (BOD) at its Two Hundred and Thirty-Second Meeting held on July 24, 2008 pursuant to Paper BD70/08, CDB was required to engage independent consultants to complete the Programme Closing Report (PCR). Additionally, under the terms of the Basic Needs Trust Fund Seventh and Eighth Programmes approved by BOD at its Two Hundred and Fifty-Third and Two Hundred and Sixty-Fourth Meetings held on October 23, 2012 and December 11, 2014 pursuant to Paper BD101/12 and BD83/14 respectively, CDB was required to engage independent consultants to conduct a composite Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of BNTF 7 and 8. The BNTF 7 Paper stated that a MTE will be completed within two years of satisfaction of conditions precedent of the Grant Agreements. BNTF 8 Paper stated that the MTE would be done simultaneously with BNTF 7.

Synthesis Report - Managing for Sustainability

This study examined project sustainability at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) by reviewing evaluation evidence and good practice literature from CDB and other development organisations; and suggests practical guidance on “managing for sustainability” and entry points for future action.The primary objectives were to:(a) develop an understanding of the conceptual frameworks and procedures used by other development agencies to assess and manage for project sustainability;(b) assess the sustainability of projects financed by CDB and identify the major factors that influence project sustainability;(c) identify the lessons learned and recommendations developed by other international development agencies to improve project sustainability; and(d) recommend a simple conceptual framework and procedures to facilitate the Bank’s efforts in managing for project sustainability.

External Review of OIE 2017

In December 2011, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) agreed a comprehensive Evaluation Policy (December 2011) setting out the aim and objectives and guiding principles for CDB’s evaluation system. The Policy provides for the establishment of the Office of Independent Evaluation (OIE).In line with the Evaluation Cooperation Group’s (ECG) good practice standards, in 2015 CDB’s Oversight and Assurance Committee (OAC) endorsed an external review of CDB’s OIE. The intention is to highlight the factors that help or hinder OIE’s independence and performance in order to identify where improvements could be made.CDB has also taken many, other important steps towards updating management practices in line with other multilateral development banks (MDBs). However, the introduction of several innovations in parallel requires coordination and a shift in working practices and thinking. There is also the need to engage in different types of evaluation; evaluations that take into account cross-cutting themes and different levels of complexity. As such, whilst this Review particularly focused on CDB’s OIE, it recognises that OIE’s work and utility depend to a large degree on the development of other management practices and the degree to which evaluation is able to effectively link into their work. As such, to a limited degree, the Review took into account OIE’s linkage to other management practices.

Multicycle Evaluation of the Unified Special Development Fund Sixth and Seventh Cycles 2005-2012

This report presents the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation of the Sixth and Seventh Cycles of the Special Development Fund (Unified) of CDB, covering the period 2005 - 2012.The evaluation assessed the utilisation of SDF6 and SDF7 resources based on the criteria of Relevance, Strategic Positioning and Responsiveness; Effectiveness; Efficiency; and Sustainability; as well as Results Based Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. Gender and the Environment are analysed as Cross-Cutting Issues.The evaluation is intended to provide evidence to improve the selection, design, preparation and implementation of SDF-funded interventions; increase the value-added by CDB in addressing its overarching mission of systematic poverty reduction in BMCs; and enhance the coherence, integration and alignment in meeting the CMDGs, including Development Effectiveness, and other strategic development objectives beyond 2015.The report provides 8 recommendations.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training 1990-2012

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has received focused attention at a regional level through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), anchored by the 1990 Regional Strategy for TVET. In 2013, the Regional Strategy was revised, and TVET was redefined and promoted as an agent of Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness.The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) supports interventions in education and training, particularly for unemployed youths and people at-risk, as critical to the achievement of national and regional social and economic development.The evaluation covers the period 1990-2012 and takes account of the results articulated in BMCs Human Resource and Education Strategies, Strategic Plans and Country Strategies; and projects/programmes; as well as current trends and good practices in TVET across projects in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the OECS.The objectives of the evaluation were to: (a) take stock of regional and international evidence of the effectiveness of TVET; (b) assess the performance of CDB interventions; (c) identify lessons of experience; and (d) provide strategic, policy, administrative and operational recommendations to inform future interventions. The report presents the key findings, issues and recommendations that emerge from the assessment of the TVET interventions financed by CDB.

Tax Administration and Tax Reform 2005-2012

This evaluation of CDB’s Technical Assistance (TA) initiatives in tax administration and tax reform covers the period between 2005 and 2012 and focuses on six TA projects in four countries (Barbados, Belize, Grenada and Saint Lucia).The overall objective of the evaluation was to assess the development effectiveness of CDB’s TA interventions in the context of the Bank’s increased emphasis on promoting good governance.The specific objectives were to evaluate:(a) the extent that the Bank’s TA programme, in support of tax reform and tax administration, has been strategically relevant to the needs of the BMCs;(b) how effective was implementation of the TAs in achieving results and strengthening institutional capacity;(c) the efficiency of the use of inputs in achieving the objectives of the TA interventions;(d) the sustainability of project achievements over the longer term and alternative ways of achieving results.The evaluation also explores some important lessons learned for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of economic and administrative reform in the fiscal sector and develops general recommendations (15) to inform future TA interventions.

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Policy-Based Lending Instrument 

A summary of the assessment of the effectiveness of the Policy Based Lending Instrument of the CDB. Structure includes:BackgroundContextInstitutional CapacityRecommendations

Assessment: Mainstreaming Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management 2005-2011

Given CDB’s increased emphasis on climate-smart and environmental-sustainable development, poverty reduction and pro-poor growth, this report presents the results of the assessment of the extent and effectiveness of the mainstreaming of environmental, disaster risk management and climate change considerations in CDB’s strategies, policies, programmes, projects and operations over the period 2005–2011.The assessment focuses primarily on how CDB has approached mainstreaming within the Bank and within BMCs.  It presents the key successes and strengths, as well as gaps, and provides recommendations on the way forward.

Mid-Term Evaluation of the Basic Needs Trust Fund 6

This evaluation is formative and takes stock of and communicates on the outcomes of the BNTF investment initiatives as foreseen at mid-term, in the approved BNTF 6 results framework. The evaluation plays a key oversight role on achievements towards the Programme’s established targets and provides insights into further strengthening of implementation for the remaining period of BNTF 6 and strategic directions for the design and timing of BNTF 7.The evaluation was guided by three (3) broad performance criteria:(a) Effectiveness: Assessment of country performance in relation to achievement of objectives and targets as defined in the Poverty Reduction Action Plans (PRAPs) and the integration of cross cutting issues;(b) Quality of Sub Projects: Assessment of community participation and prospects for maintenance; and(c) Efficiency: Capacity to implement resources in an efficient manner.

Assessment - Implementation of Gender Equality Policy and Operational Strategy

In 2009, the Caribbean Development Bank adopted a Gender Equality Policy in response to a number of gender equality issues that posed challenges internal to the Bank and its operations with external stakeholders in Borrowing Member Countries. The Bank also adopted an Operational Strategy to assist the Bank to mainstream and integrate gender in both its internal and external operations.The objectives of the assessment focused on relevance of the Gender Equality and Operational Strategy;  the performance and effectiveness of the Bank’s approach to implementation; opportunities and/or constraints impacting implementation; and identification of key lessons and recommendations for improving implementation processes. The report presents 7 findings, 7 lessons and 15 recommendations.