Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF Project “Initial Steps for the Establishment of the National Protected Areas Network in Iraq” (GEF ID 5392) (2015-2023)

This report is a Terminal Evaluation of the UNEP/GEF project: “Initial Steps for the Establishment of the National Protected Areas Network in Iraq” (GEF ID 5392), implemented between 2015 and 2025. The project's overall goal was to develop and start implementing the plan for the establishment of a national Network of Protected Areas in Iraq. 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: field observations, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions 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 project was highly relevant to Iraq’s national biodiversity priorities and its international commitments under the CBD. It responded to critical gaps in Iraq’s legal and institutional architecture for biodiversity, particularly the absence of a protected areas strategy, legal framework, and technical data for PA planning; ii) The project achieved several foundational outputs. However, it encountered challenges in translating outputs into institutionalized outcomes; iii) The project’s sustainability prospects are rated as moderately likely. Political buy-in was strong at the MoE level, particularly from the Technical Department, but less so across ministries or at the subnational level. The main recommendations to UNEP are: i) Ensure strategic coordination between GEF-5 outputs and future GEF-7/8 programming; ii) Document and disseminate lessons learned through global and regional knowledge-sharing platforms. Implementing parties are advised to: i)Formalize enforcement roles and legal mandates across relevant ministries for PA governance; ii) Develop and operationalize a dedicated national budget line for Protected Areas; iii) Integrate gender and social inclusion into future PAN phases; iv) Establish a cross-ministerial PA coordination platform with statutory authority; v) Integrate PA content into formal education and civil service training (with Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Planning); vi) Establish grievance redress and benefit-sharing mechanisms for communities near PAs.