Evaluation report 2012:2: Country Programme between Finland and Nepal

Evaluation report 2012:2 Country Programme between Finland and Nepal (PDF, 1,3 Mb)

ISBN 978-951-724-987-4 (printed)
ISBN 978-951-724-988-1 (PDF
ISSN 1235-7618

Authors: Julian Caldecott, Michael Hawkes, Bhuban Bajracharya, Anu Lounela

This study explores links between Finnish development policy and cooperation programming with Nepal over the last decade. Key factors were identified using 14 evaluation criteria. Finnish support focused throughout on:

1. bilateral area-based projects in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environment sectors, which relieve the effects of poverty and ill-health while building local participation, inclusion and gender equity
2. participation in multi-donor support to the school sector, which responds to a long-standing government priority;
3. support to civil society through an embassy-managed Local Cooperation Fund.

These interventions persisted during, and continued after, an armed conflict that reached its climax and resolution in 2005-2006. Close relations with government from 2007 facilitated Finnish support to new activities in forest inventory and management, climate change (to which Nepal is extremely vulnerable), and in the post-conflict areas of peace-building, governance and human rights (PGHR). These interventions target areas that have a record of reducing poverty or addressing key threats to well-being among the poor, and also respond to key government priorities.

 The multi-donor PGHR interventions in particular are helping to consolidate a peaceful political settlement that is promoting investment, development and poverty reduction. Meanwhile, Finland is also contributing strongly to donor coordination and leadership.

The country programme is complex, but will become simpler as PGHR needs decline and the WASH and environment projects are phased out.

It scores highly on most evaluation criteria, but requires a review to identify ways to address climate change adaptation in a participatory and effective way.

Key words: Nepal, policy, programming, climate proofing, Finland