Projects

The objective of this assignment is to evaluate the Covenant of Mayors initiative in the EaP and Central Asian regions (2012-2015). This shall be done primarily by looking into the CoMO-East I programme, but also by assessing the links with other programmes and stakeholders (EU and others). The focus will be on identifying lessons learned in order to better shape future programmes.

The specific objective of this assignment is to answer the evaluation questions on the topics listed below.

A – RELEVANCE: Overall relevance of the Covenant of Mayors, CoMO East I Work packages (WP) relevance;

B – EFFECTIVENESS (AND UTILITY): Overall programme effectiveness (outputs, results and impacts),  Contextual socio-economic situation and utility, Patterns and variation in performance, Success factors;

C – EFFICIENCY

D – PARTNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: Partnership and coordination issues, Networking and links to other programmes, Management

E – SUSTAINABILITY 

Phase 1: Inception

• Organizing a kick-off meeting;
• Clarifying the objectives and desired outputs of the study with DG NEAR;
• Adapting and refining the methodological approach set out in the contractor's proposal, as appropriate;
• Agreeing on the people to be interviewed, the possible launch of a survey;
• Obtaining key documentation as an input for phase 2 and 3.
• Agreeing on the organization of the missions, updated calendar of the project.

Phase 2: Data collection

• Visiting relevant partner countries, meetings with relevant stakeholders, local authorities, Covenant National Coordinators, Covenant Supporter, Covenant Territorial Coordinators, etc.
• Collecting information and arrive at judgements about the relevance of Covenant strategies in light of the challenges faced by signatory cities; about the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the CoMO in terms of value for money; about the sustainability of the Covenant of Mayors;
• Assessing whether some elements of programmes have proved more successful than others and why.

Phase 3: Case studies

• Building on phase 1 and 2 in order to come to a selection of 10 CoMO East case studies.

Phase 4: Assessment, conclusions and recommendations

• Drawing together the findings from phases 1, 2 and 3 to develop final conclusions on the effectiveness of the Covenant of Mayors and lessons for the future implementation of similar programmes.

Drafting of final report.