I. Objectives, methodology and process
1. Background. The Peer Review of IFAD‟s evaluation function, undertaken in 2010,
recommends that IOE focuses on two forms of project evaluations: Project
Completion Report Validations (PCRVs) and Project Performance Assessments
(PPAs). The PCRV consists of a desk review of the Project Completion Report (PCR)
and of any other supporting documents.
2. The PPA is undertaken shortly after the PCRV and involves field visits. The PPA is
not expected to investigate all the activities financed under the project, or to
undertake an in-depth impact assessment. The purpose of the PPA is to fill major
information gaps, inconsistencies and analytical weaknesses of the PCR; to validate
further the explanations, conclusions and lessons learned presented in the PCR;
and to shed light on selected features of project implementation that are not
adequately analysed in the PCR, thereby contributing to learning and
accountability.
3. Objectives. The objectives of the PPA are to: (i) assess the results and impact of
the project under consideration; and (ii) generate findings and recommendations
for the design of future and implementation of on-going operations in the country.
4. Methodology. The PPA follows IFAD‟s Evaluation Manual1 and Guidelines for PCRV
and PPA.2 It relies on extensive desk review of available documents undertaken as
part of the preparation of the PCRV, including the project appraisal, Mid-Term
Review (MTR), supervision and implementation support reports, the project
completion report, PCRV and relevant IFAD policies.3 In addition to these
documents, three beneficiary impact assessments and one quantitative project
impact assessment of household level project results (2007) were undertaken by
CBRDP. There was also an Assessment of Sustainability of Rural Institutions in
IFAD-supported Projects in Cambodia (2009) and a study on Rural Productive
Service Delivery for two IFAD projects (2009). This data provides the basis for
most of the evaluation‟s assessment, and is supplemented with data from the
mission interviews and visits.
5. Primary data was collected in the field in order to verify available information, and
to reach an independent assessment of performance and results. Due to time
constraints, a qualitative approach was adopted for data collection, using semistructured
interviews. Data collection methods included focus group discussions
with members of the Project Support Unit, Ministry staff, provincial line agencies,
executive committee and beneficiaries.4
6. Although efforts were made, through the quantitative Project Impact Assessment
(PIA), to provide key impact data on indicators such as agricultural productivity
and malnutrition, these were greatly hampered by the lack of a baseline study. In
addition, no control groups had been established.
7. Process. The PPA mission5 was conducted from March to April 2011. It was carried
out with the support of the Ministry of Rural Development. A presentation, with
preliminary findings and identified issues, was shared with project stakeholders at
a wrap up meeting in Phnom Penh on 8 April 2011.6 The draft report benefitted
from comments of the IFAD management and the Government of Cambodia.