Re-engineering the National Protected Area System in order to achieve financial sustainability : final evaluation of UNDP/GEF project

Abstract

This project was designed to address the main financial and operational barriers threatening the management effectiveness of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) of the Dominican Republic. The three proposed Outcomes were to increase and diversify protected area (PA) financing, improve PA management effectiveness and efficiency in the 18 priority PAs with the highest revenue generation potential, and promote co-management arrangement to underwrite PA costs. This Final Evaluation was carried out from September to October 2015 and adhered fully to the UNDP/GEF guidelines and Terms of Reference provided. The evaluation methodology was based on a thorough review of all relevant project documentation; interviews with a total of 27 stakeholders; a presentation of the initial evaluation findings during the mission; follow-up interviews, correspondence and review of documentation; a detailed analysis of the findings; and the drafting of the final evaluation report.