Mid-Term Review of the Forest Landscape Restoration Program [FLRP] in Amhara/Ethiopia

The Mid-Term Review [MTR] of the Forest Landscape Restoration Program [FLRP] assigned to the company SCANTEAM [Norway] was started in October 2020. The purpose of the MTR is to take stock of implementation so far in order to support  major stakeholders in making the necessary adjustments for the remaining period of project implementation. The review will identify lessons of operational relevance for implementation of the project. The MTR shall specifically assess the project’s progress to date and provide recommendations on how any performance issues and challenges encountered so far could be addressed to deliver the desired outcomes within the remaining project implementation period [effectiveness]. It will also assess if the FLR program generates lessons-learned and/or contributes to the development of models/approaches to support large-scale FLR in Ethiopia [relevance] and engages stakeholders at different levels to share these lessons [sustainability].

Assess operational aspects [efficiency] and the likelihood of future impact [impact].

The MTR will also assess the project’s linkage with other NICFI funded programs and projects, particularly the REDD+ Investment Program.

Three main elements will be analyzed:

  1. Project performance, with emphasis on effectiveness of outputs and outcomes, as well as efficiency, impact, monitoring of implementation and impacts, management issues, sustainability and relevance;
  2. Lessons learned, including what has worked well and what has not, as well as innovations and success stories;
  3. Recommendations for the rest of the program implementation.

The MTR national consultant has carried out 2 missions to the project areas [the 1st in the end of October and the second in end November2020]. During the missions he was able to discuss the project progress, institutional issues and challenges with the FLR Program Management Unit, and interview team members and all relevant/key partners and stakeholders. Field trips were carried out to several project sites.