This document discusses monitoring and evaluation policies and procedures for international waters projects, with an emphasis on indicators. It defines monitoring and evaluation, outlines the basis and logical framework approach for M&E. It also describes three levels of indicators for international waters projects - process, stress reduction, and environmental status indicators - and provides examples for each. Strategies and tools for developing indicators are also covered.

1. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
GEF M&E Policies and Procedures,
with Emphasis on Indicators for
International Waters Projects
Dr. Juha I. Uitto
Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
UNDP-GEF

2. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Monitoring and Evaluation
Interactive and mutually supportive
Help decision-making on management
Accountability in resource use
Lessons from experience
Results-oriented

3. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Important Definitions
Monitoring:
 Continuous or periodic
process of collecting
and analysing data to
measure the
performance of a
programme, project or
activity
Evaluation:
 Systematic and
independent assessment
of ongoing or completed
projects or programmes
to determine the
relevance of objectives,
development efficiency,
effectiveness, impact and
sustainability

4. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Basis for M&E
Clear objectives
Strategy for achieving objectives
Structured set of targets and indicators
Assumptions
Information sources
Feedback/communication mechanisms

5. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Logical Framework Approach
Tool for developing and monitoring the
logical relationship between inputs,
outputs, and objectives/goals that
determines the implementation of a
project
LogFrame is not a straightjacket – need
for flexibility, adjustment according to
implementation experiences

6. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Logical Framework
Strategy Indicators Means of
Verification
Assumptions
Goal/Global
Development
Objective
Project
Objective
Immediate
Objectives/
Outcomes
Outputs

7. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Definitions of levels
Goal/Global Objective - Higher objective to
which this project, along with others, will
contribute.
Project Objective - The impact of a project. The
change in beneficiary behaviour, systems or
institutional performance because of the
combined output strategy and key assumptions.
Immediate Objectives or Outcomes – The main
results stemming from achievement of outputs.

8. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Indicators
Quantitative or qualitative statements
used to describe situations which exist
and measure changes or trends over a
period of time
o Measurable
o Precise
o Consistent
o Sensitive

9. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Three Levels of IW Indicators
Environmental Status Indicators
o Relate to goal/global objective
Stress Reduction Indicators
o Relate to project objectives or outcomes
Process Indicators
o Relate to outputs

10. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Process Indicators
Focusing on the processes that are likely to lead
towards a desirable outcome
o Initial strategic regional projects
o National-level
Examples:
o Completion of a country-endorsed TDA
o Country ratification of the regional or global
conventions/protocols pertinent to the project

11. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Stress Reduction Indicators
Focusing on concrete actions that will
reduce the environmental stress on the
waterbody
Examples:
o Point source pollution reduction investment
completed
o Amount of underwater or wetland area placed
into protected management

12. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Environmental Status
Indicators
Focusing on actual improvement of ecosystem
quality
Usually beyond the lifetime of the project
Examples:
o Improved (measurable) ecological or biological
indices (e.g., primary productivity, POPs, levels
in biota, BOD)
o Changes in local community income/social
conditions as a result of improvements in
environmental conditions

13. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Strategies and Tools
Benchmarks: Compare with initial
conditions/without project situations
(collect baseline)
Data collection: What is possible? What
is needed? Who to do and how?
Stakeholder participation
Use in learning/decision-making

14. GEF IWC, Dalian, 25-29 Sept 2002
Regional Cooperation
Groups of countries should cooperate to
develop indicators to monitor the
development and implementation of SAP
Communication
Transparency