| Overview : This is the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Interim Evaluation (IE) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - supported Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed project titled Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems And Associated Catchments In Uganda Project (PIMS 5711) implemented through the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) which is to be undertaken in 2021. The project is implemented in 24 districts including Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Sheema, Rukungiri, Rubanda, Rukiga, Budaka, Pallisa, Ngora, Bukedea, Mbale, Kaliro, Namutumba, Kibuku, Butebo, Tororo, Butaleja and Kumi; The project is supported by GCF, UNDP and Government of Uganda (GoU). The project was started on 30th June 2017, though full implementation commenced in November 2017 and is currently in its fourth year of implementation. This ToR sets out the expectations for this Interim Evaluation (IE). Project background: The impact of climate change, coupled with other human and environmental stressors, is increasing degradation of wetlands and their associated ecosystem services in Uganda. This is negatively affecting the livelihoods of approximately 4 million people living in and around wetland areas. In fact, over 80% of the people living adjacent to wetland areas in Uganda directly use wetland resources for their household food security needs. Given that wetlands are highly vulnerable to changes in the quantity and quality of their water supply, climate change will most likely substantially alter ecologically important attributes of wetlands and will exacerbate the impacts from human activity. The loss of wetlands could exacerbate the impact of climate change as they provide fundamental services that contribute to mitigation of such impacts. This project seeks to support the Government of Uganda to take climate change issues into account when managing critical wetland areas. Project activities were developed to specifically respond to and take into account specific climate-related impacts and vulnerabilities of wetland ecosystems. This project is restoring wetlands and their eco-system services, based on wise-use principles and guidelines as outlined by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, with sustainable land management practices and reforestation, is supporting resilient agricultural practices and alternative livelihoods for communities living in these areas to reduce the pressures on the wetlands, and finally is strengthening the climate information and early warning systems to support these communities to make climate-resilient decisions. The project targets two regions – 12 districts in South Western Uganda including; Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Sheema, Rukungiri, Rubanda and Rukiga and 12 districts in Eastern Uganda including; Budaka, Pallisa, Ngora, Bukedea, Mbale, Kaliro, Namutumba, Kibuku, Butebo, Tororo, Butaleja and Kumi;. With a total population of 3,946,366 people and land areas of 13,000Km2 At least 800,000 people in and around the wetlands will directly benefit from this investment. This initiative will improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in Uganda, dependent on subsistence agriculture and wetlands for their livelihoods. The project set out to achieve its intended Outcome of ‘Restore and sustainably mange wetlands and support target communities in wetland areas of Uganda to reduce the risks of climate change posed to agriculturally based livelihoods’ through three outputs. Output 1 focuses on restoration and management of wetland hydrology and associated forests. Output 2 focuses on Improved agricultural practices and alternative livelihood options in the wetland catchment. Finally Output 3 focuses on strengthening access to climate and early warning information to farmers and other targets communities to support wetland management. Since November 2017, the Government of Uganda through MWE in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) with support from UNDP/GCF has implemented the project demonstrating the direct link between the benefits of wetland conservation and people’s livelihood with a specific focus on climate change risks and adaptation opportunities of these restored wetlands. The project is to be implemented in a period of 8 years (2017-2025) with a total project cost of USD 44,262,160 including ((grant) of USD 24,140,160, UNDP co-financing of USD 2,000,000) and Government co-financing of USD 18,122,000) Being half –way the project life, this IE will assess progress towards and likelihood of achievement of outcomes and impacts and recommend strategies that will enhance delivery of intended project results commensurate with the investments made. |
