This evaluation, conducted by the UNDP Evaluation Office, looks at the regional work of UNDP and assesses its contributions to the achievement of the objectives set out in the UNDP strategic plan (2008-2013). The scope of the evaluation includes UNDP regional programmes and the relevant institutional arrangements, especially the work of the regional service centres.
The evaluation examines UNDP contribution to development efforts in two broad areas: interventions that facilitate and strengthen cross-border initiatives on a range of common issues such as natural resources management, climate change, trade and migration; and ‘multi-country’ interventions that provide direct and often simultaneous assistance, usually on common issues, to a number of programme countries within a region or subregion. The evaluation also examines UNDP contribution at the regional level to corporate results, specifically how UNDP used its regional programme and regional presence to strengthen its own capacity, particularly at the country level, to contribute to development results.
The evaluation concluded that UNDP regional programmes have made significant and long-standing development contributions by promoting cooperation among countries in building regional and national institutions as well as addressing cross-border and common challenges. The regional service centres have, in particular, provided a useful space to anchor regional activities and provide technical support to country offices.
But it also concludes that in all regions, the contribution to results has been affected by fragmentation of regional programmes, insufficient linkages with national programmes, and time-frames that have not taken into account the need for long-term capacity development. While consultation on regional programming with partner countries and organizations does take place, the absence of a systematic framework for gauging demand and identifying opportunities constrains innovation and relevance. UNDP has not been able to adapt its own programming strategies to effectively enable countries to share development solutions across regions.
The core recommendation of the evaluation is that the organization should develop a strategic corporate business model that covers global, regional and country levels. The evaluation also recommends that UNDP should retain the system of regional service centres under the purview of the regional bureaus. Recommendations also cover the need to establish regionality criteria to help UNDP assess when a regional approach is appropriate; to strengthen consultation to ensure relevance to regional needs; to encourage cross-regional collaboration and use of regional knowledge corporately; and to maximize the use of regular resources allocated for regional programmes for interventions that contribute directly to development results rather than for internal corporate results.
