12 Jahre Ostzusammenarbeit - Evaluation 2003/4 - Band 2 - DEZA

I Evaluation Abstract
DONOR seco and SDC
REPORT TITLE
SUBJECT NUMBER
External Evaluation of the Swiss Cooperation with Eastern Europe and the CIS
(1990 – 2002)
GEOGRAPHIC AREA Eastern Europe and Central Asia
SECTOR Various
LANGUAGE DE (German)
DATE July 2003
COLLATION Report of 157 pages; 14 annexes
Mid-term assessment
EVALUATION TYPE
Programme evaluation
Strengths and weaknesses, effectiveness, sustainability
STATUS Approved by seco and SDC
AUTHORS Terra Consult / EBP / Taesco and NADEL/ETH
Subject Description
The Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe and Central Asia started in 1990. Since then,
three framework credits were approved by the Swiss Parliament to support the transition
process of the 27 countries in this region. A total of CHF 3.05 Billion (about US $ 2 Billion)
was allocated to this cooperation during the period 1990-2004.
The main goal of the Swiss support was to contribute to stability and security in Europe. The
Swiss Government mandated the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) for the implementation of this cooperation.
By the end of 2002 the programme comprised 573 SDC projects for technical cooperation
(mainly know-how and technology transfer) and 246 seco projects for financial cooperation
(including: financial assistance / basic infrastructure, investment promotion, trade and
environment-friendly technology, and macro-economic assistance such as balance of payments
assistance and budget aid).
The two agencies mandated the present assessment to gain relevant insights for preparing a
new framework credit to continue the cooperation and to review the achievements of the
Swiss support towards (a) strengthening the rule of law, human rights and democracy, and
(b) promoting a sustainable economic and social development.
Methodology of Review
The objectives and main questions of the review were defined in the Terms of Reference.
The review consisted of two parts: (a) the review of the overall programmes of seco and SDC
and (b) case studies at country level (for the Kyrgyz Republic and Bulgaria).
The performance of the projects was assessed with regard to: (1) The objectives and criteria
given in the messages to the framework credits of the Swiss Government, and (2) key issues
of the transition process in accordance with the criteria given by a SDC / seco study, elaborated
by A. Melzer: 12 Jahre Ostzusammenarbeit. Die Transition und ihr Schatten. Evaluation
EE2003/4, Band 1. The review focussed on programme and project relevance, effectiveness
and sustainability, and forms of cooperation and learning processes.