Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF Project “Continuing Regional Support for the POPs Global Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm Convention in the Pacific Region (GEF ID 6978)” (2015-2024)

This report is a Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project, “Continuing Regional Support for the POPs Global Monitoring Plan under the Stockholm Convention in the Pacific Region (GEF ID 6978)”, implemented between 2015 and 2024. The project's overall goals were to strengthen the capacity for implementation of the updated POPs Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) and to create conditions for sustainable monitoring of POPs in the Pacific region. The evaluation sought to assess project performance (in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency) and determine the sustainability of its results. The evaluation has two primary purposes: accountability and learning. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews and document reviews. Data analysis was based on applying triangulated data to assess performance against a reconstructed Theory of Change and its causal pathways. With an overall performance rating of Moderately Satisfactory, the 4th point on a six-point scale, the main findings include: i) The main achievements of the project were successful establishment and implementation of abiotic (air and water) and biotic (human milk) POPs monitoring systems in nine Pacific Island countries, the generation of validated analytical data for all POPs listed up to COP 6 and newly listed POPs proposed by COP 10, and the effective reporting of results to the Stockholm Convention GMP Data Warehouse, ii) The project demonstrated strong performance in the areas of capacity building, partnership management, innovative adaptive management (e.g., web-based dashboard and e-course on data handling/ interpretation), communications, and knowledge management, and iii) Comparative weaknesses were apparent in project efficiency and timeliness with prolonged implementation period, limited analysis of supplemental samples of national priority due to logistical constraints, and sustainability risks linked to staff turnover and insufficient national financial resources for continued POPs monitoring. The main recommendations to UNEP include but are not limited to: i) establish formal and standing knowledge management and communication strategies for national GMP coordinators and experts, anchored by Regional Centres, to institutionalize peer support, technical exchange, and rapid problem-solving beyond the project’s lifetime and ii) consider that the project design integrates links between POPs monitoring and policymaking at the national level to support the project's sustainability.