Evaluate. Learn. Improve
The Bank’s Office of Evaluation (EVO) has undertaken the first corporate-level evaluation at the CEB. The evaluation of the Migrants and Refugees Fund (MRF) has highlighted invaluable learnings that are already being used to benefit new CEB initiatives and strengthen its accountability.
The MRF evaluation had two aims:
(I) to assess whether the design and functioning of the MRF were fit for purpose in enabling the Fund to achieve its objectives (II) to draw out lessons that could be applied to new dedicated grant-funded instruments.
The evaluation involved an in-depth analysis of corporate process, a large portfolio review plus field visits to six countries involved in MRF operations.
What were the findings?
Having established the MRF, in late 2015, the CEB demonstrated its ability to act as an early mover, mobilising funds and staff to rapidly identify and approve a series of humanitarian emergency operations along the Balkan route.
Over time, the Fund’s portfolio evolved to mirror developments in the migratory crisis as well as strategic priorities. After the signing of the EU-Türkiye agreement in 2016, the MRF portfolio was stretched over multiple objectives. It faced challenges in reaching out to destination countries and in financing projects aimed at social integration. From 2018 the MRF shifted from humanitarian assistance to supporting the social integration of migrants and refugees.
Creating and managing a new and dedicated grant scheme such as the MRF was a significant challenge for the CEB. Europe was affected by an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and the Bank had to develop a new type of support to mobilise external resources and finance humanitarian operations. In this context, financing priorities prevailed over discussion around the procedures, standards and criteria for identifying and monitoring projects. Over time, the uncertain developments of the migrant crisis, and the unpredictability of pledges, also had significant repercussions on portfolio handling and management.
What learnings can be taken forward?
The Bank’s experience of managing the MRF provides opportunities for valuable learning in refining its corporate position in the field of migrant and refugee assistance and in improving how it manages grant-funded schemes. The evaluation has identified lessons related to fundraising and to the procedures and standards for project selection and monitoring.
Most notably the findings highlight the importance of:
- planning structured reviews to introduce strategic adjustments to the functioning of the grant instrument
- human resources for technical backstopping and independent monitoring of operations
- developing dedicated standards and procedures to select, manage and monitor grant-funded operations to ensure best practice working.
Post published: October 2020
Author: Luigi Cuna, Senior Evaluator, CEB