Assignment Name: Impact Evaluation of the Climate Change Adaptation Project (2nd Revised)

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Implementation Monitoring & Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh

The Impact Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Project (2nd Revised) was designed to assess the implementation, outcomes, and impact of a large-scale initiative aimed at building climate-resilient infrastructure and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities in Bangladesh. The project, implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, focused on addressing vulnerabilities arising from climate change by creating sustainable trade and transportation networks. The project aimed to enhance the socio-economic resilience of rural populations, particularly women, who are most affected by climate risks.

The evaluation focused on project components such as the construction and upgrading of climate-resilient roads, embankments, drainage systems, and rural markets/growth centers. It also included interventions like canal re-excavation for improved water management, rainwater harvesting infrastructure, and community empowerment through training and income-generating activities (IGA). The initiative aimed to reduce climate-induced risks, improve access to markets and cyclone shelters, and provide potable drinking water. The project’s activities spanned 10 upazilas in five coastal districts: Patuakhali, Barguna, Barisal, Noakhali, and Laxmipur, covering both physical and social dimensions of climate adaptation.

The scope of the work included:

• Review of project details (background, objectives, the status of approval/ revision, mode of financing, name of the project, line ministry, implementing agency, implementation period, approved expenditure, year-based expenditure estimates, all applicable information including the rationale for project area selection);
• To collect, review, analyze and present with graphical/tabular form the data in regards to overall progress & component-wise implementation progress (physical and financial) of the project;
• Review and analysis of achievements at Output, Outcome and Impact level in the light of project objectives and log frames;
• Reviewing whether the existing laws and regulations (Public Procurement Rule (PPR), development partner guidelines, etc.) have been complied with in procurement of various goods, works and services performed under the project; Analysis of ancillary issues including manpower required for operation and maintenance of facilities (goods, infrastructure and services) created under the project;
• Analysis of ancillary matters including manpower required for operation and maintenance of facilities (goods, works and services) created under the project;
• Analyzing and making observation whether the number of goods, works and services are procured as per BoQ/ ToR, quality is ensured as per specification and through necessary inspection/ verification;
• Analysis of various aspects related to project risk i.e. various problems related to implementation such as delay in the financing, delay in procurement/ procurement of goods, works and services in implementation, inefficiency in management and increase in duration and cost of the project;
• Analyzing and making observation whether the number of goods, works and services are procured as per BoQ, quality is ensured as per specification;
• Review of data on project approval, revision (if applicable), allocation of funds, rebates, payment of bills, etc.; Also to check the rationality of year based action plan and budget demand estimate in Development Project Proforma (DPP) and whether the project has been implemented as per the action plan from the beginning of the project. Identify deviations from the plan and provide remedial advice and recommendations for the future;
• Comparative review in light of various national/ local data (if applicable) and baseline surveys (if applicable) as to what has changed as a result of the implementation of the project;
• Review and analyze the project’s BCR and IRR achievements;
• Provide feedback to make the benefits sustainable after the project completion;
• SWOT Analysis of the activities implemented under the project, implementation method, sustainable and managed facilities, etc.;
• Review, analyze and provide feedback on the relevance, the efficiency of the project implementation, the effectiveness and the sustainability of the project;
• Overall review and necessary recommendations based on various observations related to the project

The project team provided comprehensive evaluation services, including the following:

Review of Project Details:

• Conducted a detailed desk review of project design documents, including the DPP, RDPP, and project progress/completion reports.
• Assessed project alignment with national policies such as the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) and the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP).

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Designed and implemented a mixed-methods evaluation framework using the OECD criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
• Collected primary data through household surveys, FGDs, and KIIs across six randomly selected upazilas: Kalapara, Taltali, Bakerganj, Hatia, Subarnachar, and Kamalnagar.
• Conducted physical inspections of project components such as roads, embankments, and water harvesting systems to assess quality and sustainability.
• Utilized multi-stage sampling to survey 595 direct beneficiaries and evaluated project outcomes using comparative analysis of pre- and post-intervention data.

Evaluation of Project Outcomes:

• Verified the construction of 381 km of earthen roads, 45 km of HBB roads, and other infrastructure, ensuring compliance with design standards.
• Assessed the social and economic impacts, such as reduced travel time, improved access to cyclone shelters, and increased agricultural productivity due to enhanced transport networks.
• Evaluated improvements in water access, reporting significant reductions in waterborne diseases and salinity issues.

Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Organized local-level workshops to validate findings and gather community feedback.
• Presented draft findings to the steering committee, integrating stakeholder input into the final report.

Impact Assessment and Recommendations:

• Identified significant outcomes, including short-term employment creation for 15,000 women through LCS, increased household incomes, and enhanced disaster preparedness at the community level.
• Highlighted gaps such as inadequate maintenance of canals and embankments and suggested measures for long-term sustainability, including establishing local maintenance committees.

Reporting:

• Prepared a comprehensive impact evaluation report detailing findings, SWOT analysis, and recommendations for scaling up similar climate adaptation initiatives.
• Provided actionable insights for improving project design, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and community participation.

The impact evaluation demonstrated the project’s success in enhancing climate resilience and improving socio-economic conditions while offering practical recommendations for future interventions.