Final Evaluation Humanitarian Assistance Project- Response to COVID-19 Emergency and early recovery support

This report presents the main findings of the final evaluation of the project “Response to COVID19 Emergency and Early Recovery Support” (hereafter referred to as the HAP project), financed by the EU Office in Kosovo and implemented by UNDP in partnership with UN Women and UN Volunteers and in close cooperation with the Department for Social Policies and Families under the Ministry of Finance, Labour, and Transfers.

The project was designed in response to the challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis. Its goal was to enhance the provision of social services by the Centres for Social Work (CSWs) in support of the most vulnerable groups and individuals, primarily those living in poverty or at risk of socio-economics marginalisation, especially women and girls, non-majority communities, victims and those at risk of gender-based violence (GBV), and people living in rural areas who experienced difficulties to access social facilities and services.  

The final evaluation presented in this report assessed the project’s achievements in terms of its relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability, and provides recommendations for future interventions in this sector. The evaluation methodology was based on mixed methods and involved the use of commonly applied evaluation tools such as documentary review, interviews, information triangulation, analysis and synthesis.

The data collection process involved a detailed review of the project documentation, a questionnaire with the project team, semi-structured interviews and online surveys with project stakeholders and partners. Field work was conducted in the period 31 November – 5 December 2022 and included meetings with heads of municipalities, directors of CSWs and representatives of NGOs that were involved in project activities in five municipalities with Albanian majority (Prishtina/Priština, Prizren, Gjakovë/Đakovica, Suharekë/Suva Reka, and Malishevë/Mališevo) and three non-majority municipalities (Graçanicë/Gračanica (Serbian community), Novobërdë/Novo Brdo (Serbian minority), and Mamushë/ Mamuša (Turkish community).

The evaluation findings are organised according to the main evaluation dimensions.