The mid-term evaluation of the project "Boosting Rural and Rurban Economy in Times of Crisis and Beyond" (BOOST) was commissioned by WFP Nicaragua. BOOST is expected to run from 2018 to 2024 and aims to promote sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in five departments and one autonomous region of Nicaragua. The support package includes three components (including gender-transformative approaches): support to smallholder farmers and their cooperatives in the production of basic grain and market access; links with the National School Feeding Programme; and support to the creation of home gardens by vulnerable (peri-)urban families. The European Union is the main donor of the project.
The evaluation served the double purpose of accountability and learning. The evaluation period covered the first three years of the BOOST project (August 2018 to June 2021), and the findings and recommendations were expected to inform the next phase of the project.
The evaluation adopted a theory-based mixed methods approach to answer the five evaluation questions linked to different evaluation criteria (effectiveness; relevance and coherence; sustainability; efficiency) and gender equality and empowerment of women. Data were collected remotely and during a two-week field mission. The evaluation team conducted interviews at national and local levels with WFP and other agencies, government institutions, the donor, cooperatives, and schools; as well as two dozen focus group discussions with beneficiaries; field visits; a comprehensive document review; and an analysis of existing M&E data.
In addition to the evaluation report, Particip produced a short video (produced by a film team in the field) for dissemination purposes. The evaluation report and the video are available at: https://www.wfp.org/publications/nicaragua-boost-project-nueva-segovia-madriz-esteli-matagalpa-jinotega-and-raccn-areas