Description

This study evaluates the effectiveness of 10 ADB advisory technical assistance projects for the government of Nepal for capacity building in the social sector. The study focuses on lessons learned with the aim of making future technical assistance projects of this nature more effective.

It concludes that the training components of most technical assistance operations in the reviewed projects had unsatisfactory results. This was attributed to budgetary constraints, management neglect, lack of government commitment, and inadequate ADB supervision.

The study recommends that ADB develop a capacity building framework for Nepal based on the needs of sectors. The preparation of advisory technical assistance should be preceded by rigorous institutional and needs analysis, and the framework should be beneficiary-directed.

Accordingly, the conceptualization, design, and formulation of technical assistance operations for capacity building should include an experienced capacity building expert and experienced representatives of the targeted agency or ministry.

The study recommends, among other things, that ADB use the concept of impact evaluation right from the preparation stage of the technical assistance. “If impact indicators are emphasized, the TA (technical assistance) design will inevitably include perspectives,” it says.

In addition, factors leading to failure experienced during project implementation should be analyzed with the executing agency and experts in capacity building to facilitate adjustments in ongoing efforts and in future interventions. 

Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Major Findings
• Key Issues
• Conclusions and Recommendations