This report is based on the external evaluation of the Mount Elgon Integrated Conservation and Development Project carried out from 29 January to 16 February 2001 by a team of three independent consultants. The evaluation included interviews at the national level and a field visit to the project area of nine days. The report explores the context in which the project is carried out, and concludes that there is a conspicuous need for an integrated conservation and development effort in the project area, given the present state of the Mount Elgon ecosystem and the threats it is confronted with. Next, an overview of the objectives, expected outputs, sub-programmes and activities of the project is given. Basic information is presented on the project's history. Progressive decline in long-term donor commitment is documented. Changes in the policy of the Netherlands Government have forced the project to emphasise obtaining short term, tangible results. The institutional arrangements governing the implementation of the project are explored, and the team observes that these have not always functioned satisfactorily. This has resulted in delays in project implementation and other difficulties. Some fundamental characteristics of the approach of the project are identified. These include working through existing institutions instead of creating parallel structures and building up implementing capacity at project level, caution in funding of recurrent costs of partner agencies, and motivating staff of those agencies by offering training opportunities. In its conclusions, the team observes that it has not been easy for the project to use this approach. At the same time, continuing to work along these lines is considered by the team to be a key factor to sustainability of project results.
The report goes on to identify the main constraints the project has been confronted with. Obviously, the context of the threats to the Mount Elgon ecosystem is the major constraint however, it is at the same time the very reason for existence of the project. At the implementation level, the constraints are:
- progressive reduction of donor commitment;
- inflexible logical framework planning contrasting with the flexible process approach which was to be adopted;
- delays in arrival of project equipment due to a deficient agreement with the Government of Kenya which does not allow for duty free import and VAT exemption;
from the perspective of for instance field officers implementing the sub-programme on livelihoods, the project had therefore been operational for only just over a year at the time of this review (February 2001);
- flaws in project design;
- an attitude of dependency among local communities due to past relief efforts.
Subsequently, an overview is given of the achievements obtained under the five sub-programmes, and of the problems encountered. The underlying causes for successes and failures are analysed. It is concluded that promising results have been produced, notwithstanding the significant constraints listed above. These results are found amongst others in the areas of:
- strengthening of the knowledge base about the Mount Elgon;
- capacity building of local institutions and communities;
- strengthening of the tourist infrastructure and contributions to policy development in the area of conservation and development.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go, especially in establishing collaborative natural resource management involving local communities:an objective which requires long term commitment. It is concluded that if external support is not continued, several expected results will not materialise, such as effective boundary demarcation of the Chebyuk excision, the integrity of the entire forest reserve boundary on Mount Elgon, and involvement of local communities in natural resource management. On the basis of its findings, the evaluation team urges IUCN and RNE to adopt a pro-active approach towards securing external funding from a new donor for a follow-up project. Furthermore, it is recommended that RNE grant a budget-neutral extension until 31 December 2001. In addition, overall conclusions and recommendations with respect to a follow-up project are presented, as well as some recommendations regarding sub-programmes.
