The evaluation produced the following key findings and conclusions: First, project countries have different national circumstances and applications for geospatial information and earth observation technologies. Therefore, specific activities in each country constitute separate projects, leading to different outputs, outcomes and potential impacts. Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands have a designated authority/focal point for international funds, with the capacity to implement additional international funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Second, the project’s strategy is the most effective means of delivering the intended benefits (increased capacity to use geospatial solutions). The expected social benefits will likely surpass the expected costs assumed by the beneficiary/ focal agencies. In that capacity, it also addresses technical issues, responding to specific capacity development demands by government organizations of the targeted countries.
Third, the strategy aligns with multiple national and sectoral development strategies, framed in the outcomes of UN conferences, including the International Conference on Small Island Developing States and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Other related initiatives include the SERVIR interventions in Southeast Asia and South Asia and the JICA-funded project in Bhutan which are currently implemented and specifically directed towards developing the national spatial data infrastructure. Furthermore, the project also incorporated lessons learned from previous UNITAR-UNOSAT interventions. The evaluation found the project to be gender-targeted, aiming to achieve parity in access to capacity development.
Moreover, beneficiary organizations have sufficient budgetary allocation and institutional capacity and function explicit in national strategy documents to continue the application of technical solutions implemented through the project.
Last, the results chain is partially logically linked and based on sound assumptions. The original project’s logical framework impact indicators do not reflect, or cannot be attributed to, the project. Impact indicators can be better gauged by national capacity, measured as means of score cards or surveys.