Final evaluation of the “Ecomakala” energy reforestation project République démocratique du Congo

Context of the service

EcoMakala is a large-scale reforestation project (3,000 ha between 2007 and 2012) implemented by WWF on the land of local farmers in North Kivu Province, eastern DRC.
The main objective of this project is to strengthen the supply of sustainably produced wood energy (fuelwood and charcoal) to Goma and surrounding cities, in order to contribute to sustainable development while reducing illegal logging in Virunga National Park, one of the last refuges for mountain gorillas in the Albertine Rift.
The main objectives of this evaluation were to:
- Evaluate the project and assess its results/impacts in relation to the initial objectives,
- Draw conclusions about the project and give recommendations for further action.

Services provided

A dashboard (questions, indicators, auditors) was proposed and validated to guide the evaluation process, following the following criteria: Relevance; Efficiency; Efficiency; Impacts; Durability.
A field mission, led by three evaluators (two international and one national), collected the data through focus groups, semi-structured interviews and field observations. The following stakeholders were interviewed: grower associations, nurserymen, local and regional authorities (customary and administrative), representatives of the charcoal sector (processors, producers, transporters), project team and financial/technical partners.
An evaluation report was then drafted to present the evaluative judgments and recommendations for a possible second phase.

Summary of the service

Final evaluation of the "Eco-Makala" energy reforestation project, implemented from 2009 to 2013 in North Kivu: Development of an evaluation dashboard (questions, indicators, verifiers); Field mission and data collection from local stakeholders; Preparation of an evaluation report (evaluative judgments and recommendations for a possible second phase).