- Cambodia
Read the full evaluation report (in English)
PArTNER Project – Partnership for Agroecology Transition, Networking and Efficient Resilience – Cambodia – Summary of the 2024 mid-term evaluation
Project objective
The PArTNER project, implemented from 2022 to 2026 by Louvain Coopération and Eclosio (UNI4COOP programme), aims to:
- Promote agroecological transition.
- Improve the income and social conditions of farming families.
- Strengthen gender equality.
- Consolidate a local, sustainable and safe food system.
Evaluation methodology
- Cross-cutting evaluation, collaborative process involving project partners (CAOs/UACs, researchers, NGOs) with the assistance of an external facilitator.
- Based on OECD-DAC criteria: relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, effects/impacts, sustainability.
- Data from focus groups, interviews, self-assessments and a participatory workshop.
Main findings
Relevance
- The project is highly relevant to current agricultural, social and environmental issues.
- Need to strengthen links with local authorities (CAO) to ensure the sustainability of actions.
- The approach could better integrate certain key crops (e.g. cassava).
Coherence
- Good internal coherence thanks to the theory of change (ToC).
- It is recommended that this ToC be further harmonised with that of the ASSET/ALISEA project at the regional level.
Effectiveness
- Encouraging results despite initial delays in some diagnostics.
- The farmer-to-farmer extension model is functional.
- Cooperative unions (UACs), particularly BUAC, are showing notable progress.
Efficiency
- Good cost-effectiveness, but gains are possible by strengthening local synergies.
- Technical support should be more tailored to local realities.
Effects/Impacts (preliminary)
- Increased adoption of agroecological practices by some farmers.
- Emergence of women leaders.
- Market still poorly structured to promote agroecological products, except for SRP (Sustainable Rice Platform) rice.
Sustainability
- At the farm level: adoption of agroecological practices appears stable.
- At the organisational level: BUAC is progressing towards sustainability, while others (TrUAC, Kampong Thom agricultural cooperative) are less advanced.
- For ALISEA: sustainable financing is on track thanks to SDC support.
Key recommendations
- Maintain horizontal coordination between partners.
- Involve local authorities (e.g. CAO) more closely.
- Diversify the means of disseminating agroecological practices.
- Strengthen training and individualised support for farmers.
- Consolidate the business plans of agricultural cooperatives and cooperative unions.
- Provide greater support for the integration of women into leadership positions.
- Promote ownership of the ALISEA network by its members.