Mid-Term Evaluation of Samre Livelihood Development Project

Background:
Samre sustainable livelihood development project (SSLDP) is located in South Eastern zone of Tigray. It is a three years project that started in 2011 and is scheduled to end in December 2013. The project is implemented by the Ethiopian Evangelical church Mekene Yesus Development and social service commission North Area Work Branch Office. The project follows a watershed approach that recognizes the interrelationships among land use, soil and water, including the linkages between uplands and downstream areas.

Purpose/ Objective:
To assess the project progress status; whether it is on the right track or not and ii) to make adjustment/alignment for better progress and achievement of the intended outcome within the remaining project period.
Methodology: Participatory involving the concerned stakeholders (NCA, EECMY-DASSC, Government and rights holders' representatives).

Key Findings:
To curb the devastating climate change problems and environmental degradation, additional new technologies for water harvesting and irrigation expansion should be incorporated in the watershed in the coming year. (ii) The need to strengthen the watershed management to build up and maintain the created assets and sustainably use them. (iii) The need to strengthen the cooperatives in administrative and financial arrangements so that they can operate, maintain and utilize the assets sustainably. (iv) Need of further expansion of apiculture technology in the watershed to benefit more user groups, (v) The need to strengthen documentation of success/change stories and best practices.

Recommendations:
(i) In order to curb the devastating climate change problems and environmental degradation additional new technologies for water harvesting and irrigation expansion should be incorporated in the watershed in the coming year. (ii) Continuity in strengthening the watershed management to build up and maintain the created assets and sustainably use them. (iii) Strengthen the cooperatives in administrative and financial arrangements so that they can operate, maintain and utilize the assets sustainably.(iv) Further expansion of apiculture technology in the watershed to benefit more user groups, (v)  Documentation of success/change stories should be strengthened and best practices implemented in the watershed should also be scaled up to other neighbouring watersheds.(vi) To strive for equitable distribution of benefits among all the watershed beneficiaries,

Comments from Norwegian Church Aid (if any):