In
this chapter we presented a review of key evaluation issues in relation
to the timely and urgent task of assessing climate change adaptation
projects. A comprehensive Evaluation Framework should use specific
Evaluation Criteria to evaluate the robustness of proposed CCA
interventions and a Logical Framework for Adaptation (LFA) as analytical
tool bridging what is done (i.e. implementation), what should be
produced or delivered and the results expected (i.e. development
results). In other words, the LFA, contains all the information needed
to understand the theory of change behind the intervention. Based on the
LFA it is possible to configure indicators, baselines, milestones,
targets, identify data sources and techniques.
We also show how the different evaluation components can be incorporated
in an integrated evaluation framework. Based on the overall flexible
evaluation framework we suggested selected Evaluation Criteria
(Implementation, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Equity and
Sustainability) that can be incorporated in the proposed integrated
evaluation framework (see Figure 5). We also devised a quantification
and scoring mechanism that provides a standardized way to monitor the
extent the climate adaptation activity achieves its intended objectives
and outcomes against the evaluation criteria. In cases where there are
multiple objectives and outcomes we proposed a scoring and weighting
system to capture these depending on the level of importance. The
integrated evaluation framework was illustrated by its application to a
LoCAL adaptation intervention.
Based on the application of the proposed integrated evaluation
methodology to the LoCAL programme of adaptation activities we can draw
the following recommendations:
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Evaluation as a learning process: Emphasis should be given on
changing the culture of Evaluation towards making it a learning
process. Eventually resources should be allocated in order to enhance
the learning elements of the Evaluation, strengthen participation, and
assure self - reporting and ownership.
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Engage communities in the Evaluation process : It will be
efficient to engage communities in the Evaluation process in a way
that communities undertake self-reporting on the progress and the
level of achievement of expected outcomes of the selected CCA
activities. Furthermore this will enhance ownership of the monitoring
and evaluation results. Engagement of the local communities in the
Evaluation process could start already from the Vulnerability
Assessment and planning for Climate change Adaptation while evaluation
components are already embedded in these processes.
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Evaluation should be embedded into the Vulnerability
Assessment and planning for Climate Change Adaptation: Evaluation
aims to measure progress of CCA activities towards achieving CCA/
Climate Resilience objectives. Therefore Evaluation should be directly
linked with the process of selection of CCA activities, their
objectives setting and identification of their expected outcomes with
regard to the vulnerabilities they try to address. Therefore
Evaluation components should be already embedded in the Vulnerability
Assessment and planning process for Climate Change Adaptation.
The integrated Evaluation Framework presented in this chapter should be
considered as an in-progress framework, which was thoughtfully built
using the latest knowledge in the field of Evaluation of adaptation
projects.