07 GeoME

GeoM&E

Utilizing GIS mapping to accurately identify project areas, visualise project results and strengthen monitoring and evaluation.

It is not always clear exactly where IFAD projects are implemented and we rarely can physically verify whether or not project M&E targets are actually achieved.

Further, the limited coordination, systematization and analysis of GPS coordinates that are incorporated into projects has prevented IFAD from fully leveraging GIS/Earth Observation innovations to support evidence generation and knowledge management.

GeoM&E is an approach that can be used to verify IFAD project sites, and use satellite imagery and other geospatial datasets for enhanced analytics.

“Collecting GPS coordinates of IFAD-supported projects is fundamental for evidence-based decision making, impact and accountability. The future impact of IFAD will require knowing where exactly our investments are taking place.”

– Challenge Team

RESULTS ACHIEVED

Geographically-referenced datasets (e.g. roads, processing facilities and areas under improved management) assembled from 15 IFAD-supported projects in 11 countries
Developed a guidance note on how to use GIS for M&E in IFAD-operations
Case study elaborated to demonstrate the value of having geo-referenced data on project activities: Rice paddies developed by IFAD in Sierra Leone had on average 2.8 fires less in their surroundings because farmer do less slash-and-burn practices.
East and Southern Africa (ESA) project teams provided with GPS kits to gather coordinates of their activities
Improved coordination on GIS applications at both a corporate and project level

POTENTIAL IMPACT

Possibility to assess sustainability of project impacts 10 to 30 years after project completion
More rigorous and objective assessment of conditions at project sites in a cost-effective manner
More granular and quasi-real time analytics to inform project management and decision-making throughout project life cycle
Enhanced transparency and accountability of IFAD operations by verifying the geophysicality of project investments and measuring project outcomes against targets

CHALLENGE AREAS

Time constraints on project development and tight deadlines on funding approval
Need to quickly navigate corporate procurement rules and staff-hiring processes

Recommendations for next steps
(from the project team)

Advanced (Scale up)

We recommend scaling up GIS and earth observation innovations on a step-by-step basis, starting with building up the necessary skills, equipment and software for geo-referencing capabilities and defining the relevant analytics for M&E across the project life cycle. Coordination across IFAD divisions and departments is essential and should be developed further. A dedicated IFAD “GeoGroup” and community of practice (similar to what was progressed through this project) should be formed to ensure long-term benefits from GIS and earth observation innovations at IFAD.

Lessons learned
(from the project team)

The Innovation Challenge kick started efforts to introduce systematic geo-referencing of project activities in the monitoring and evaluation of IFAD-funded projects. Prior to this some IFAD projects were already geo-referencing their project sites but not necessarily in a systematic and standardized way.

The Innovation Challenge allowed us to collaborate across divisions, test the efficacy of the technology, unite disparate datasets, hone-in on the key areas of focus for future roll-out and anticipate potential problems to be resolved. In this regard, we also made significant progress to increase cross-departmental collaboration on the use of GIS applications at the corporate and project level, which was a great success, noting that these processes take time and adoption of innovative approaches takes much effort and coordination to bring into effect.

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