Project background
As part of the project “Regional: Evaluation of Sida-EBRD Municipal Environment and Climate Programmes (2014 – 2022),” the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) provided the Swedish government with SEK 460 million (approximately EUR 39,686 million) to finance technical cooperation and investment grants for a number of projects in several countries in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. The main objectives of the program were (i) support in reducing emissions, (ii) sustainable use of natural resources, (iii) institutional reforms and sustainability of services, and (iv) transition pathways and social inclusion.
Tasks
Arepo conducted the independent evaluation of the two funds, SWME and SWME2. The evaluation covered the period between January 2014 and December 2022 and a portfolio of 27 funded investment projects in which Sida-financed components were used either in the form of technical cooperation or investment grants. The program provided funding for municipalities and municipal companies in the 10 eligible countries. The assignment aimed to evaluate the funds against their original objectives and to examine the extent to which the intended results had been achieved at the project and program levels. To this end, a document analysis was carried out, an online survey and interviews conducted, case studies prepared, and a portfolio analysis undertaken. The lessons and recommendations drawn from the evaluation helped the EBRD and Sida in the design and implementation of future programs.