REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Performance Evaluation of the 2010-2013 USAID/BiH Development Grants Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina

USAID Monitoring and Evaluation Support Activity (MEASURE-BiH)

Contracting Entity: IMPAQ International, LLC

The intervention was to provide at least 10,000 farmers with the opportunity to apply adaptive solutions, using the possibilities of drought adaptation measures adopted by relevant entity, cantonal, or local government. Specific interventions envisaged in the design included training, group-sessions, roundtables, joint study visits, practical testing of technical solutions, as well as the work with government officials at various levels of government responsible to deal with drought issues in northeast BiH. The intervention targeted farmers from northeast BiH, the most populated region in BiH with the largest percentage of arable land. Involving women was an important focus of this intervention. 

2. Fruit Grower Association for Fostering Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas by Improving Competitiveness and Market Potential in BiH, award in the amount of $1,408,251, implemented from April 2011 to March 2012. The purpose was to promote Integrated Pest Management and GLOBALGAP standardization, point to the importance and necessity of certification for primary agricultural production, and promote joint appearance on the market.

This intervention was designed to increase competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector in the northwestern area of BiH through improving the fruit and vegetable production, enhancing income generation on farms in the target region, and fostering the institutional development of Fruit Grower Association "Integralna proizvodnja voca” and Cooperative "PZ Voce i Povrce Krajine”. The design envisaged this intervention to include around 300 farms in the target region over three years and provide them with advisory service and product certification, so that their products are linked to the Cooperative (program partner) for processing, marketing, and sales. Around 1,500 and 1,800 individuals were to directly benefit from the intervention through higher income. Specific interventions envisaged in the design included workshops, field demonstrations, surveys, promoting high quality products, providing storage and transportations services, etc.  The primary target beneficiary group were fruit and vegetable producers in the northwestern BiH (Banja Luka, Gradiska, Prijedor, Kozarska, Dubica, Novi Grad, Kostajnica, Srbac and Laktasi), the secondary target beneficiary group were fruit and vegetables consumers who benefitted by having access to quality and safe products, while the tertiary beneficiary target group was overall agriculture sector of BiH which benefitted by increased agricultural production. 

6. Partner Microcredit Foundation (Partner MCF) for Solar energy as the future of sustainable development, award in the amount of $1,016,110, implemented from July 2011 to July 2016. The purpose of the intervention was to increase local production of solar collectors and ultimately increase the usage of solar collectors and/or other alternative sources of energy, through raising awareness on importance of using alternative energy sources. The intervention was to establish the value chain of producers and consumers and provide technical assistance and financial support to the producers, as well as loan disbursement for the clients. Also a key activity was a media campaign targeting the general public in order to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of using alternative energy sources. 

Specific interventions envisaged in the design included providing education and financial support to 20 micro and small enterprises to become completely operational and capable to self-sufficiently produce good-quality solar collectors, as well as identifying at least 200 potential customers that express interest in purchasing solar collectors and/or other services/alternative energy products through a loan from Partner MCF. The intervention targeted micro and small enterprises and households and was operational on the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

This performance evaluation needs to examine the following evaluation questions:

What was the nature of Mission outreach to LNGOs? Had the Mission worked with the implementing LNGOs prior to these 2010-2013 DGP awards and if yes, what was the nature of that work?  

1. What is the Mission’s current relationship, if any, with the LNGOs that implemented these DGP awards?
2. What impact, if any, did these DGP awards have on the Mission’s ability to partner directly with nontraditional partners in BiH?
3. How was the work of the implementing LNGOs of these six interventions under the 2010-2013 DGP awards perceived and valued by beneficiaries?
4. To what extent has the partnership with USAID strengthened or otherwise changed the capacity of these six LNGOs?  Are these former DGP grantees sustaining their development efforts and if yes, how? 
5. What, if any, challenges have the implementing LNGOs faced in meeting USAID program requirements and what are the key lessons learned for any potential similar future initiatives in BiH or globally?