OIE Work Programme 2020-2024

This five-year plan for evaluation at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is articulated in three parts. Part One examines the context for evaluation at the Bank, including its Evaluation Policy, strategic planning documents, policies and strategies, and co-investment partners. Part Two surveys the broader Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) context of which CDB is a part and highlights trends in MDB policies and evaluation approaches. Part Three sets out indicative plans for evaluation over the 2020 to 2024 period, bearing in mind the current constraint imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. General considerations that have informed evaluation choices; expected phasing and resource requirements; and some important enabling activities such as knowledge management and capacity building are also outlined.It is important to note that this is conceived as a rolling plan, to be refreshed at least bi-annually, and in particular to take account of any significant changes in CDB’s strategic environment (for example a new Special Development Fund [SDF] Contributors’ Agreement).

Student Loan Scheme - St. Kitts & Nevis (2020)

In October 2008, the Caribbean Development Bank approved a loan in the amount of USD6.2 mn to St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Limited (National Bank) to assist with financing sub-loans under the Student Loan Scheme (SLS) to eligible persons wishing to upgrade their skills and qualifications at the vocational, technical and professional levels. The objective of the project was to assist the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis (GOSKN) in developing its human resources through education and training.

Barbados Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation 2010-2018

This is the first country strategy evaluation of Barbados commissioned by the Office of Independent Evaluation. It covers two strategies: the 2010-13 Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) and the 2015-18 Country Strategy Paper (CSP). It also comments on the developments in the first year since the new government formed after May 2018, going slightly beyond the CSP period (by an additional 6 months) since these are highly relevant to the issues covered.

Sixth Consolidated Line of Credit - Belize (2019)

In March 2009, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a loan in the amount of ten million (mn) United States dollars (USD10 mn) to the Government of Belize (GOBZ) to assist in providing finance to priority sector areas including student loans, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), agricultural and industrial credit (AIC), low income housing, and microfinance. CDB also approved a grant to GOBZ of USD150,000 for the institutional strengthening of the new Development Finance Corporation (DFC) which was the Executing Agency for this Line of Credit. The overall objective of the project was to enhance the development of the credit market to promote financing on affordable terms to market segments that were not readily catered for by commercial banks and other Financial Institutions (FIs).

Cluster Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation of OECS and ODT Borrowers 2010-2018

CDB’s Office of Independent Evaluation (OIE) Five-Year Plan (2017) highlights Country Strategy and Programme Evaluations (CSPEs) as one of its key activities. This evaluation examined CDB’s support to the region’s small economies, including countries and territories that are members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Following an evaluability assessment in 2017/18, OIE launched this evaluation in November 2018, and it was carried out between late January and July 2019.The objective of this evaluation was to assess Bank programming and performance in up to ten of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs), using the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. The evaluation is intended to inform the design and implementation of future Country Strategy Papers (CSPs) and programme interventions. The intended audiences for the evaluation are the CDB Board of Directors, CDB management and staff, governments of OECS member countries and territories, and CDB’s other development partners.

Evaluation of the Gender Equality Policy and Operational Strategy 2013-2018

Caribbean social, political and economic structures are influenced by and contribute to unequal gender relations, the persistence of gender stereotypes and harmful gender norms which define and restrict equal access to services and resources.This evaluation report presents the results of the evaluation of the Gender Equality Policy and Operational Strategy (GEPOS) which was developed in 2008 to mainstream gender-responsive actions in the operations of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The evaluation focused primarily on the 2013-18 period in order to reflect on the progress made by CDB after the 2012 assessment of the GEPOS and 2013 Gender Equality Action Plan.

Haiti Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation 2007-2015

Haiti formally became a member of the Caribbean Development Bank in January 2007, setting the stage for full engagement by the Bank in support of its economic challenges and developmental agenda. Despite some delays, due to Haiti’s high-risk environment, the Bank managed to deliver its projects with a smart choice of implementation approaches. This Report presents the findings of the Haiti Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation, 2007 – 2015. The evaluation was conducted in two phases and addressed CDB’s operations in Haiti under the Country Strategies for the period 2009-2012 and 2013-16.  The evaluation assessed the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the Country Strategies by examining individual projects undertaken during the two CSP periods and the extent to which the portfolio of projects supported the CSP objectives and country priorities.The document highlights 26 findings, 3 recommendations and 2 corporate considerations that may influence the implementation approaches that the Bank takes over the coming CSP period.

Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines 2009-2018

In 1998, CDB implemented its Natural Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines (NDMSOG) under which approximately 11% of the Bank’s total lending and technical assistance was expended in the period up to 2008.In 2009, CDB’s Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines (DiMSOG) replaced NDMSOG as it was noted that “with increasing frequency, countries in the Region are facing situations in which scarce resources that were earmarked for development projects have to be diverted to relief and reconstruction following disasters, thus setting back economic growth”.This evaluation covers the period from 2009 to 2017 and was intended to:(a) gather evidence and lessons to inform a new iteration of DiMSOG;(b) understand the relevance and effectiveness of DiMSOG; and(c) identify CDB’s comparative advantage regarding Disaster Risk Management in the Region and the best role for the Bank to play given its focus, capacity and lending instruments.The evaluation cites 15 main messages, and 9 recommendations.

Agriculture Support Project - Jamaica (2018)

In December 2008, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a loan in the amount of seven million, eight hundred thousand United States dollars (USD7.8 mn) to the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) to enable it to support access to credit by small farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in order to spur food production and underpin income growth. CDB also provided a technical assistance grant in an amount not exceeding the equivalent of USD50,000 to assist in financing the services of short term consultant(s) to develop a system to monitor and evaluate project outcomes and impact and a mid-term review. GOJ provided counterpart funding of USD11,000.

Second Water Project - Belize (2018)

In December 1997, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a loan in the amount of USD13.83 million (mn) to the Government of Belize (GOBZ) to assist in financing the Second Water Project - Belize. This was the second project and the fifth loan provided to GOBZ, by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in the Water and Sewerage sector. The loan was to finance approximately 79% of the estimated project costs of $34.95 mn (USD17.47 mn). The funds were to be utilised for: upgrading of intake works and a water treatment plant; supply and installation of a transmission main; upgrading of two re-lift pump stations; expansion of a distribution network; non-revenue water reduction measures (including the installation of new or recalibration of existing bulk flow meters); and upgrading of the computerised billing and accounting system. The GOBZ and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) were to provide counterpart funding of $0.44 mn (USD0.22 mn) and $6.85 mn (USD3.42 mn) respectively, to meet the remaining project costs.