Description of project

This evaluation was commissioned as part of the process of considering how to work better in fragile and conflict-affected states. It was set against the backdrop of a new Federal Council Dispatch 2013-2016 (Botschaft), which was the main legal and financial instrument governing Swiss foreign aid. The new dispatch proposed an increase in fragile states expenditure to the parliament and the Federal Council. The evaluation was a strategic exercise looking at how SDC could achieve impact in fragile contexts, and how it could best configure its aid instruments. The evaluation sought to fulfill an accountability function by establishing a credible evidence base on which SDC performance could be assessed, through the use of case studies and extensive review of secondary data.

The objectives of the evaluation were to:

1. Assess SDC performance in its present engagement in selected fragile and conflict-affected contexts,
2. Provide a solid evidence base of where SDC stands and an analysis of where it needs to improve;
3. Through a process of reflective inquiry, develop a shared understanding of how to engage in fragile contexts;
4. Develop priorities for change for SDC in the form of clear, targeted and actionable recommendations for future engagement in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.