Darwin Initiative: 5th Report
Chapter 4
Monitoring Current Projects
106 projects are classified as current, that is, have not submitted a Final Report. These are listed in Annex 6. However, it is likely that some of these projects from early funding rounds have either completed the project but not submitted a Final Report, or have submitted the Final Report and it has not been recorded correctly in the past. There have been difficulties in communicating with the staff responsible for these projects, but we intend to clarify the status of all Darwin projects in 2002. Outstanding reports will be followed up wherever possible. 10% of the grant is now retained until the Final Report has been submitted.
Annual Reports
Darwin Initiative Project Leaders are required to submit Annual Reports by the end of April each year showing project performance against the work programme.
During 2001, 48 annual reports were received from the 59 current projects funded within Rounds 7 to 9. Reviews were completed on 41 of these reports, including three reviews of reports from the previous year's work that have not been included in this report. Of those reports not reviewed, six are currently under review and one was not reviewed due to submission of a final report.
Only seven new and mid-term projects (Rounds 7 and 8) failed to supply reports. However, perhaps not surprisingly, very few projects nearing completion provided annual reports. Clarification of the position on reporting in the final year will be made for the next (11th) round of funding, stating that Annual Reports are not required in the final year if a Final Report is presented by end October of the same year.
Table 4 summarises project progress and comments from the ECTF evaluation team based on Annual Reports.
Quality of reports
There has been a huge improvement in the quality of annual reports since the introduction of the new annual reporting guidelines last year. The earlier reporting structure focused mainly on progress, problems and outputs and did not ask for any information on methodology. In many cases it was not possible for advisers to make an informed judgement of the quality and quantity of the year's work. The new guidelines require concise information on: progress; partnerships; impact and sustainability; outputs, outcomes and dissemination; project expenditure; monitoring evaluation and lessons. Guidelines can be downloaded from the website.
A requirement for Logistical Frameworks (Logframes) was introduced for Round 10 applications, and Annual Reports from April 2002 will be expected to measure progress against their Logframes. There has been a very mixed response to the introduction to Logframes and project leaders often have strong views on their value. Feedback so far has been mixed although there is evidently a need for more guidance in completing these forms for some applicants.
Around 90% of Annual Reports received during the year used the new reporting guidelines, while others were unaware of the change in reporting requirement. Most reports are well-presented documents with clearly articulated achievements. This has enabled advisers to make meaningful comment on the year's work and hopefully provide constructive feedback to help staff improve project performance.
Table 4: Projects with reviewed Annual Reports 2000/01
Page last modified 10 August, 2002