Evaluation of Austria’s Development Cooperation in the Water Sector

The overall objectives of the evaluation were to identify factors for the improvement of projects and programmes and to contribute to learning and knowledge sharing. This considered the overall organisation, and particularly the relevance and sustainability of results.
The focal points of the evaluation were:

• the relevance of the Water and Sanitation Sector Policy to the overarching policy and strategy of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) as a whole,
•  the state of the art, global learning and sector experiences,
• the WSSP and its implementation within respective programme regions and working fields, i.e. efficiency and effectiveness regarding achievement of set objectives;
• the definition, application and effectiveness of sector-policy instruments, processes and capacities, and
• the sustainability of projects with special consideration accorded to decentralisation, regional development and gender aspects.
  

The evaluation involved a comprehensive desk study, an initial consultation in Vienna and the conduct of an identification mission in Cape Verde. Based on the findings and recommendations for the identification mission, case study reviews were conducted in the remaining four countries.
The evaluation was conducted by an interdisciplinary team of Skat consultants with profound knowledge and experience of projects, programmes and institutions in the water supply and environmental sanitation sectors - including transversal themes such as poverty alleviation, gender balance and good governance. The international team was complemented by local or regional sector experts and supported by local assistants and translators wherever necessary.