Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The purpose of the evaluation is to (i) learn from experiences with the implementation Private Sector for Development (PS4D) approach of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), and (ii) provide an evidence-based foundation for decision-making regarding the revision of the PS4D approach.

Expected results

The main objectives of the evaluation are:

1. The development of a Theory of Change capturing the comprehensive nature of the PS4D approach which will serve as i) the main reference for management within the ADC Private Sector and Development unit and ii) a tool for communication with business partners and stakeholders internal and external to ADC;

2. The in-depth analysis of the PS4D approach (operational and conceptual framework - the re-constructed ToC), the provision of evaluative judgements and clear and actionable recommen-dations with regards to relevance, coherence, efficiency and effectiveness;

3. The extrapolation of analysis on the following:

a. The strengths and weaknesses of each instrument under component 1 “instruments for cooperation with the Austrian/European private sector”;

b. Facilitating and hindering framework conditions for PS4D interventions in different countries (esp. in Africa);

c. Options for how the PS4D approach can be improved including identification of the re-spective advantages and disadvantages and necessary preconditions for each option.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The primary users of the evaluation will be ADA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) thematic experts (around 10 People), project/programme and evaluation staff (around 15 People), as well as senior management at HQ and in the field.

Activities

- Attendance of Kick off meeting

- Inception Report and presentation of report

- Presentation of Preliminary findings

- Draft report

- Presentation of final draft

- Final report

- A communication product

Context

The object of the evaluation is the PS4D (Private Sector for Development) approach. In accordance with the Federal Development Cooperation Act, it is important to promote sustainable, social and environmentally sound development in developing coun-tries by harnessing the potential of Austrian/European enterprises. As such, the PS4D approach is de-signed to use synergies between business and development cooperation to support the socio-economic development of partner countries.

The PS4D pillar’s operational framework comprises the following components:

1.) Instruments for cooperation with the Austrian/European private sector;

2.) Interventions in Austria intended to make companies aware of the SDGs/development policy issues and to create innovative partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;

3.) Additional interventions with the private sector funded through the PS4D pillar that serve to mobilize the private sector and help to further develop proven approaches or, if feasible, ex-pand innovative approaches.

Particular focus of the evaluation is on the first component, instruments for cooperation with the Aus-trian/European private sector, which represents the main domain of the PS4D pillar. It strictly follows the principle of application and includes funding possibilities/grants for feasibility studies, business partnerships , strategic alliances and strategic partnerships . Interventions can be proposed either by Austrian companies or companies from the European Economic Area (EEA) region. Business partners are eligible for funding if they aim to generate significant developmental effects on the ground and are based on an economically viable business model. Thus, the objective is to harness their know-how, networks, and financial resources for ADC goals in order to improve living conditions in partner coun-tries in the long term . Interventions under this first component are heterogeneous in terms of their content and thus with regards to their immediate objectives. In recent years, within the portfolio of funded initiatives, core areas of intervention have emerged: (i.) replicable business models clustered in different thematic areas, namely value chains, vocational trainings/education, ecosystems, and (ii.) innovative approaches that in the framework of the instruments applied in ADC can be tested and po-tentially scaled in case of promising results as for example interventions in the area of frugal innovation or social innovation for development.