Applying the Evaluation Framework
\label{application-of-the-integrated-evaluation-framework}
Introduction to LoCAL adaptation
programme
\label{introduction-to-local-adaptation-programme}In what follows the integrated evaluation framework developed above is
applied to measure the contribution of adaptation projects identified as
part of the UNCDF project called Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility
(LoCAL). LoCAL recognizes that many activities related to climate
adaptation are part of local government’s mandates to invest and
maintain water and sanitation facilities, establishing and enforcing
zoning, managing natural resources and provide for basic infrastructure.
However, in many least developed countries the financial capability of
local governments is limited and financial resources come earmarked for
recurring expenditures, leaving little for local governments’ own
spending discretion. LoCAL then “recognizes that most existing funding
for climate change adaptation remains in large-scale national projects
and institutions or is done on a project basis through direct donor
program funding without adequate and required integration with national
planning systems and therefore of reduced sustainability” (UNCDF,
2012:2). By introducing Performance-based Climate Resilience Grants
(PBCRG) LoCAL aims at strengthening the ability of local governments to
effectively use their mandates to respond to immediate and long-term
climate change and natural disaster related threats. LoCAL grants “can
be spent on ‘climate proofing’ existing infrastructure, such as raising
the level of a bridge which is subject to floods, or equipping the
existing road with better drainage pipes alongside it. Depending on the
local circumstances, the PBCRG grants can also be used for investments
that promote food security – such as water catchment systems that help
farmers manage droughts – or investments for climate-related disaster
risk reduction and preparedness” (UNCDF, 2011).
Adaptation interventions in LoCAL
programme
\label{adaptation-interventions-in-local-programme} LoCAL’s activities aim at reducing vulnerability of local communities
and at increasing their adaptive capacity. Currently pilot projects are
being implemented in villages across Bhutan and Cambodia. LoCAL’s
adaptation interventions cover a wide range of sectors including
forestry, agriculture, livestock, health, infrastructure and also
interventions related to community capacity building for climate change
adaptation. In Bhutan 37% of the activities financed are under the
agriculture sector, while in Cambodia 38% of all activities are related
to infrastructural improvements (UNCDF, 2012). Some activities aim at
increasing adaptive capacity of local communities (e.g. training and
capacity building on climate change, vulnerability and mainstreaming
climate change into local government planning) while others are
adaptation actions (e.g. related to infrastructural improvements,
diversification of crops, introduction of drought resilient crops
varieties). Both activities can result in sustainable development
outcomes; therefore these should also be tracked. An example of how
indicators are categorised in LoCAL can be found in Table 1.
Illustrative example of evaluation of a selected LoCAL
adaptation
activity
llustrative-example-of-evaluation-of-a-selected-local-adaptation-activity} Figure 4 illustrates how the evaluation criteria have been integrated in
the LFA incorporating also CCA activities with multiple objectives and
outcomes. Figure 5 further depicts the selected indicators for the
evaluation of the CCA activity of Restoring canal in Thnout commune in
Cambodia (in the framework of LoCAL programme).