联合国贸易发展委员会-2023W发展账户项目的独立评估：面向新冠肺炎后中小微企业行业复苏的全球倡议（英）-2024-144页_2mb

Summary of the Independent Evaluation of the "Global Initiative towards post-Covid-19 resurgence of the MSME sector" (UNCTAD DA Project 2023W)

Core Content

The Global Initiative towards post-Covid-19 resurgence of the MSME sector was a United Nations Development Account (DA) project led by UNCTAD, aimed at enhancing the resilience of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries and economies in transition. The initiative focused on mitigating the economic and social impacts of the pandemic and supporting MSMEs' contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, 8, and 9.

The project was structured around the Entrepreneurship Policy Framework (EPF), which outlines six key components for promoting entrepreneurship. These components were implemented through five clusters: mobilizing entrepreneurial ecosystems, simplifying business registration, improving access to finance and financial literacy, increasing access to technology and innovation, and enhancing access to markets. It was jointly implemented by UNCTAD, DESA, and five UN regional commissions, with a total budget of $4,490,500.

The project was implemented in three phases from May 2020 to June 2022, with the goal of delivering 100 outputs and achieving five outcomes. It supported 96 countries, including vulnerable groups such as women and youth entrepreneurs, through various interventions like training, workshops, online platforms, and advisory services.

Main Findings

Relevance

• The project addressed the needs of governments and MSMEs in the context of the pandemic.
• Interventions were informed by needs and impact assessments, and beneficiaries often participated in the design and delivery of activities.
• The relevance of the project was somewhat limited due to the mandates and capacities of the implementing UN entities, which are more suited to medium- and long-term policy changes than immediate crisis responses.
• The phased approach allowed for adaptive management and the introduction of new activities based on previous results.

Coherence

• The project was aligned with the mandates and comparative advantages of the implementing entities.
• Interventions were coordinated with existing activities and complementary to other UN initiatives.
• While some synergies were achieved, particularly in the third phase, inter-agency collaboration was limited due to competing priorities and constraints.
• The project contributed to a "One UN" system by avoiding overlaps and promoting knowledge exchange among UN entities.

Efficiency

• Project coordination involved seven UN entities and was considered complex but efficient under the given circumstances.
• The DA-PMT supported the design phase, while UNCTAD led the implementation with a Steering Committee.
• A monthly financial monitoring table and a monitoring dashboard were developed to track progress.
• However, more resources would have improved coordination and monitoring, and clearer visibility on future funding would have enhanced planning.

Effectiveness

• The project delivered 85% of planned outputs, with Phase 3 showing the highest number of outputs but the lowest effectiveness due to budget cuts and incomplete activities.
• Key outcomes included improved national capacities in policy formulation, enhanced MSME resilience and competitiveness, digital registration platforms, improved financial literacy, and increased access to innovation and markets.
• The project was effective in producing measurable results, especially through the EPF and cluster-based approach.

Sustainability

• The project developed sustainable approaches, tools, and capacities that were transferred at multiple levels.
• At the policy level, e-government tools were enhanced, training courses expanded, and agreements were established to implement recommendations.
• At the behavioural level, beneficiaries applied new knowledge and skills in policy-making and MSME management.
• Sustainability was hindered by limited financial resources, the need for follow-up mentoring, and the lack of a supportive business environment.

Gender, Human Rights, and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)

• The project was well-aligned with the principles of a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and gender equality.
• However, the integration of HRBA, gender, and LNOB was limited to a few components.
• There was little evidence of outreach and impact for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
• The Women and Cross-Border Trade initiative in Africa was noted as a good practice in addressing the needs of vulnerable women.

Key Recommendations

1. UNCTAD, DESA, and Regional Commissions should:

   • Leverage project experience to map how the EPF components relate to and support MSME recovery from different crises.
   • Identify areas for joint interventions to enhance complementarities and synergies.
   • Strengthen support for policymaker networks and regional learning communities.
   • Mainstream gender and LNOB approaches in capacity-building for government officials.

2. UNCTAD and Regional Commissions should:

   • Continue fostering knowledge exchanges and promoting the EPF.
   • Organize regional events or a global conference to advance entrepreneurship policy.
   • Share best practices and lessons learned on demand-driven support for MSMEs, including green economy, innovation ecosystems, and formalization.

3. DA-PMT should:

   • Develop a clear framework to assess the cost-benefit of global vs. regional projects.
   • Include criteria such as member State demand, geographical coverage, capacity, and scaling potential.
   • Ensure that assessments support project coherence, effectiveness, and resource allocation.

4. Implementing UN entities should:

   • Ensure a comprehensive Results Framework and an adequate monitoring plan.
   • Define one objective and one outcome per cluster/workstream.
   • Use clearly defined indicators with baselines, units, and targets.
   • Design the MEAL system to capture HRBA, gender, and LNOB aspects.
   • Update the logframe if activities are pivoted, with clear explanations to the team.

5. Implementing UN entities should:

   • Allocate sufficient resources to coordination, technical collaboration, and partnership building.
   • Address challenges such as absorption capacity and overlapping mandates.

Conclusion

The Global Initiative towards post-Covid-19 resurgence of the MSME sector was an important effort to support MSMEs in developing countries through a multi-faceted, cluster-based approach. While the project was effective in delivering most planned outputs and improving MSME resilience, challenges in coordination, sustainability, and integration of HRBA and LNOB were identified. The recommendations aim to enhance the project's coherence, effectiveness, and long-term impact, aligning with the SDGs and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (SDCF).