Climate Change Adaptation Impact Evaluation Report

The study was carried out from January to May 2020 to evaluate the ‘Climate Change Adaptation Project’ impact. This project was designed to reduce the risk of waterlogging in coastal areas, improve the income of poor people, construct climate-resilient infrastructure, development of rural markets and shelters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the project in the short term and in all possible parts of the project. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate project relevance and analyze socio-economic context, procurement analysis, field inspection, quality of works, sustainability of the project components, and analyze achieved goals of the project. The systematic methodological approach was followed to conduct the impact evaluation study. SWOT analysis, lacunae method (qualitative, temporal and quantitative data) were used in this study. The study took the OECD framework into consideration while evaluating the project impact. The framework has five criteria- relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. Probability sampling technique was used for quantitative data collection whereas non-probability sampling technique was applied for collecting qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected from 595 beneficiaries of Barguna, Barishal, Laxmipur, Noakhali and Patuakhali districts. Qualitative data were collected through 29 KII, 6 FGD, observations and local level workshops. The study found that the project had established climate-adaptive infrastructures which improved trading networks and distribution facilities. It especially contributed to the increase of the income of vulnerable women of the project areas and reduced migration to the urban area due to natural hazards. Poverty alleviation through short and long-term employment, increased harvest, selling products at a higher price, and reduced transportation costs all indicated that the beneficiaries’ socioeconomic situation had improved. The study recommended to increase the depth and width of the canals, setting up more tube wells and culverts, establishing local markets and growth centers, forming a maintenance committee after project completion to maintain the project infrastructures, and arranging training for agriculture-related officers and farmers.