Evaluation of the Sustainable Island Resources Framework Fund and its Pilot Small Scheme Grants 

Econoler was selected to evaluate the operationalisation of the Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund (SIRFF) and the implementation of its Pilot Small Scheme Grants (PSSG) targeting households and small organisations. The evaluation had a dual aim, to provide the Department of Environment (DOE) with an all-encompassing evaluation of the pooled funded SIRFF and concomitantly evaluate the PSSG. The mandate of Econoler also consisted of assisting the DOE with the operationalisation phase of SIRFF by providing guidelines for updates to fund operation and applicant manuals, as well as developing case studies, a knowledge product, and support material for the DOE as contributions to the fund’s environment and social inclusion policy and an upcoming website update. 

Under the mandate, Econoler conducted the following activities:

• Developed an evaluation framework, methodology, and tools, including a reconstruction of the theory of change for the SIRFF and PSSG, and developed an evaluation matrix as well as data-collection and management tools;
• Collected quantitative and qualitative data through internal and external interviews, reviews of key documents, and desk reviews;
• Analysed data and updated the results framework and theory of change;
• Developed key findings, conclusions, recommendations, as well as lessons learned and presented them in an evaluation report;
• Conducted a workshop with relevant SIRFF and PSSG stakeholders to share evaluation report results and to inform case studies and knowledge products;
• Prepared two case studies (one on the SIRFF and one on the PSSG) and one knowledge product on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the DOE;
• Updated the fund operation and applicant manuals;
• Provided the DOE with support material on the fund’s environmental and social inclusion and gender equality manual and an upcoming website update.

This evaluation of the SIRFF and the PSSG supported the DOE in the integration of the PSSG and served to better assess the most adapted financing mechanisms for the future.