Evaluation of the “Ega Egga” project to support pastoralism in the Ferlo Senegal

Context of the service

The overall objective of the project "Combating desertification through support for pastoralism in the Ferlo", nicknamed Ega Egga ("transhumant" in Puular), has the overall objective of improving the management of silvo-pastoral resources. With a budget of €4.9 million, it is implemented by AVSF. It provides support to 10 Communes and 26 Pastoral Units (PUs), via three operational components:
- C1: Support for the improvement of the concerted management of silvo-pastoral resources through the creation and/or revitalization of PUs and their management plans, financing and support for the management of pastoral infrastructures;
- C2: Animation, support for the organisational and financial management of the UPs, structuring into communal umbrellas, networking of the territory's actors, development of a pastoral alert and information system;
- C3: Technical support, diversification of economic activities and promotion of improved cookstoves and biodigesters.

Services provided

The interim and final evaluations of the Project took place at the end of 2018 and the end of 2020 respectively. In addition to the traditional assessment of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability), the following aspects were assessed:
- Articulation of the Project with the many ongoing reforms (decentralization, land reform, revision of the forestry and pastoral codes, reform of borehole management);
- Articulation of UPs with municipal territorial planning and local land management;
- Legitimacy, viability and replicability of the promoted PU model;
- Environmental impacts of the concerted management of silvo-pastoral resources: fight against bush fires, fencing and improvement of pastures, protection of woody trees, reforestation, etc.
Finally, recommendations were made: strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system, adjusting the support strategy for PUs, strengthening actions in favour of sustainable pasture management, promotion of activities complementary to pastoralism.

Summary of the service

Evaluation of the "Ega Egga" project to combat desertification by supporting pastoralism in the Ferlo: Field missions at the end of 2018 (interim evaluation) and the end of 2020 (final evaluation); Assessment of the OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability); Evaluation of specific issues (articulation of the Project with decentralization, land reform, etc.; legitimacy, viability and reproducibility of the promoted UPs model; environmental impacts; etc.); Operational recommendations.