In accordance with UNDP and GEF M&E policies and procedures, all full and medium-sized UNDP support GEF financed projects are required to undergo a terminal evaluation upon completion of implementation. These terms of reference (TOR) sets out the expectations for a Terminal Evaluation (TE) of Capacity-building for the strategic planning and management of natural resources in Belize 00090265 (PIMS #4917.)

The project builds upon the commitment of the Government to pursue sustainable development as indicated by the recently established Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development.  The barriers to good environmental governance for the global environment are fundamentally an issue of accessing good knowledge and having a good system by which to make best use of this knowledge.  GEF funds will be used to train government staff through directed workshops on how to collect and manage data and information relevant to planning best practices for global environmental governance in the three Rio Convention focal areas.  The project’s strategy emphasizes a long-term approach to institutionalizing capacities to meet MEA obligations through a set of learning-by-doing activities that lay the foundation for effective decision-making and policy-making regarding global environmental benefits.  Specifically, the project will be implemented through three linked components, namely, the strengthening of an integrated environmental monitoring and evaluation system, the integration of natural resource valuation into the Environmental Impact Assessment process, and institutional and financial reforms to ensure long-term benefits to the global environment.  Active participation of stakeholder representatives in the full project life cycle facilitates the strategic adaptation of project activities in keeping with project objectives.  Moreover, the inclusion of nonstate stakeholders contributes to the adaptive collaborative management of project implementation and promotes long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

The TE will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures established by UNDP and GEF as reflected in the UNDP Evaluation Guidance for GEF Financed Projects.  

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess the achievement of project results, and to draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming.