Assessment of Childhood Development Project (CDP), Yemen

Assessment of Childhood Development Project (CDP), Yemen 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. more