Summary of Evaluation Results
1. Outline of the ProjectCountry: Kingdom of Cambodia

Project Title: The Project for Facilitating the Implementationof REDD+ Strategy and Policy (CAM-REDD)
Issue/Sector: Nature Conservation - Revegetation Cooperation Scheme: Technical Cooperation Projectof Degraded Land / Environmental Management Global Warming
Division in Charge: Natural Environment Team 1, Total cost: 320 million yen at the time of the Terminal
Forestry and Nature Conservation Group, Global Evaluation
Environment Department
Record of Discussion (R/D): 27 Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:May 2011
Forestry Administration (FA), Ministry of Agriculture,
Period ofForestry and Fisheries
Cooperation
Ministry of Environment (MoE)
Fisheries Administration (FiA), Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries
June 2011 - May 2016 (five years) Japan’s Implementing Organization: Forestry Agency
Related Cooperation:
Environmental Programme Grant Aid: “Forest Preservation
Programme” (Mar. 2010 - )UN-REDD Programme1: (2011 - Nov. 2015)
UNDP/FAO: “Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)”(Nov. 2015 -)USAID: “Supporting Forests and Biodiversity project”(SFB, - Jun. 2016)
United States Agency for International Development(USAID): “Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (LEAF) ”,(- 2015), etc.
1-1 Background of the Project
The Government of Cambodia officially launched the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2014-2023 inNovember 2013. It builds synergies with existing government policies to ensure a strategic cohesion to address awide range of climate change issues linked to adaptation, Greenhouse Gases (GHG) mitigation, and low-carbon
development. Promotion of REDD+2 is stated as one of the major strategies to ensure climate resilience of
critical ecosystem, biodiversity, protected areas and cultural heritage sites in the Plan.
The stakeholders of REDD+ endorsed the Cambodia National REDD+ Roadmap in September 2010. In
addition to historical support through international community to the protected forests and to the communityforestry, UN-REDD Programme and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) endorsed their engagements tohelp the Government of Cambodia implement this Roadmap. The government's implementation structure for theRoadmap was also designed at that point shown in Annex IV. Based on the official request by the Government ofCambodia to the Government of Japan in 2010, a framework to support the implementation of the REDD+Roadmap was agreed for the period of 5 years as CAM-REDD. The initial detail is defined in the “Record ofDiscussion (R/D)” signed between the Director-General of FA and the Chief Representative of Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Government of Cambodia on May 27, 2011 in accordance withthe standard procedure defined by the Government of Japan, and it has been operationalized since 1 June 2011.
The Project Design Matrix (PDM) and the Plan of Operations (PO) of the Project are expected to be a base forthe future multi-year work plan for Cambodia National REDD+ Taskforce Frameworks such as UN-REDD,CAM-REDD, FCPF, Supporting Forests and Biodiversity project (SFB) on Lowering Emissions in Asia's Forests(LEAF) funded by USAID and etc. have promoted their activities following this work plan.
1-2 Project Overview(1) Overall Goal:
Sustainable forest management as a mitigation measure against climate change is promoted based on the1The collaborative initiative on REDD or REDD+ was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening role and technical expertise of theFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable
management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countriesi

experiences of REDD+ implementation.
(2) Project Purpose:
Capacity of related stakeholders is strengthened for smooth implementation of REDD+ strategy and policy.
(3) Outcomes
Outcome 1: Effective National Management of the REDD+ Readiness process and stakeholder engagement
Outcome 2: Development of the National REDD+ Strategy.
Outcome 3: Improvement of capacity to manage REDD+ at the subnational/national levels.
Outcome 4: Design of a Monitoring System and RLs3 / RELs4 framework and capacity for implementation(4) Inputs
Japanese Side: approximately 320 million JPY (at the time of evaluation)
Experts: 2 long-term and 8 technical assistance experts
Equipment: USD 150,000
Local Cost: Demonstrations, etc., approximately USD 1,790,000
Number of Trainees Received: 12 participants in 6 Trainings in Japan
Cambodian Side:
Main Counterparts (C/P) : 29 people
Facilities: office space, meeting rooms for the experts
Local Cost: utility costs, etc.
2. Evaluation Team
Members of < Japanese Side >Evaluation 1. Team Leader: Mr. Kenichi SHISHIDO, Deputy Director General, and Group Director forTeamForestry and Nature Conservation Environment Department, JICA
2. Cooperation Planning: Ms. Misa KEMMIYA (Shimizu), Acting Director, Natural
Environment Team 1, Forestry and Nature Conservation Group, Global Environment
Department, JICA
3. Evaluation Analysis: Dr. Makoto TANAKA, Senior Consultant, ICONS Inc.
< Cambodian Side >1. Team Leader: Mr. Bun Radar, Deputy Director of Department of Forest Industry andInternational Cooperation, FA
2. Sub Leader: Mr. So Than, Deputy Chief of Gulf's Forestry Administration Inspectorate, FA
3. Member: Mr. Lim Bunna, Deputy Chief of Planning, Statistics and Consolidation Office,Department of Administration, Planning, Accounting and Finance, FA
4. Member: Mr. Ouk Vibol, Director of Department of Fisheries Conservation, FiA
12 February 2016 - 3 March 2016
Type of Evaluation: Terminal Evaluation

Evaluation
Period
3. Results of Evaluation
3-1 Confirmation of Achievement(1) Outcomes5
1) Outcome 1: already achieved
The National REDD+ Taskforce and its secretariat started its operation in February 2012. Technical Teams(TT) and Consultation Groups (CG) were also established in 2012. These are functional under advice by theProject. Thus the Indicator 1.1 was achieved.
2) Outcome 2: almost achieved
The National REDD+ strategy (NRS) has been drafted since 2014. The outline of the draft NRS waspresented during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015. This includes a relevant section on REDD+ safeguards.
Sub-national National Forest Programme (NFP) documents were endorsed by the governors of 12 provinces
and sub-national NFP programmes were implemented in 4 provinces. Thus Indicators 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 and 2.5
were achieved. Although draft Law on Wildlife and Biodiversity (LWB) was prepared, it is still waiting forthe approval by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and not yet submitted to the Council of3

Reference Level
Reference Emission Level
5
The PDM of the project uses the term “Outcome” as meaning of “Output” to adjust the frameworks for REDD+ of another donors.
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Ministers. Thus the Indicator 2.3 is not completely achieved.
3) Outcome 3: already achieved
Emission reduction was approved by the third party organizations in 1 demonstration. A document thatsummarized the experiences in Sub-national REDD+ activities was formulated and submitted to FCPF. Theexperiences on pilot sub-national approach was documented and shared to related members. Thus theIndicators 3.1 to 3.3 were achieved.
4) Outcome 4: moderately achieved
The plan to establish National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) was described in NRS. Method of initial
REL(s)/RL(s) calculation and a provisional REL/RL figure was developed and presented at COP21. Initialforest carbon measurement was proposed. Thus the Indicators 4.1 to 4.3 were achieved. However, the capacityof FA on improvement of forest reference emission level (FRELs) by itself needs to be further strengthened.
(2) Project Purpose: likely to be achieved
Necessary policies and measures are included in the draft NRS. Cambodia National REDD+ Taskforce andCG have enhanced consultation on draft NRS. Thus the Indicators 1 and 2 were achieved. However, thecapacity of the stakeholders needs to be further strengthened especially in terms of assignment of officers andtechnical skills.
3-2 Summary of Evaluation Results(1) Relevance: Very HighThe National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) states the importance of the forestry sector. Addressing
climate change is one of the strategic goals in NFP, where REDD+ is positioned as a major component. Thus
the Project is quite relevant to Cambodia’s policy. Paris Agreement, which was adopted in UNFCCC COP21 inDecember 2015, also emphasized the importance of REDD+. Cambodia is one of the highly prioritizedcountries for JICA to assist a REDD+ process. A measure against climate change through sustainable forest
management is one of JICA’s main fields in nature conservation.
(2) Effectiveness: Relatively HighMany REDD+ development partners cooperated and supported each other to implement their activities underCambodia REDD+ Roadmap. Any of these activities contribute to filling gap between the goal of Cambodia’sREDD+ and its capacities. However, the capacities need to be further strengthened so that the Cambodian side
implements REDD+ by itself nationwide.
(3) Efficiency: Relatively High
Inputs from multiple entities caused multiplied effects: effective utilizations of facilities and equipment
provided by Japan’s Grant Aid “Forest Preservation Programme”, coordination among REDD+ development
partners and Japanese enterprises and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). On the other hand,considerable time and resources were spent for the coordination as a fact, especially at the earlier stage of theProject.
(4) Impact: Relatively High
Construction of the REDD+ mechanism was enhanced and the probability to receive economic inceptions
became higher. Due to the Project efforts, FA, FiA and MoE have built a cooperative setup. However, it isdifficult to predict whether the Overall Goal including “sustainable forest management” will be achieved withinseveral years due to many external factors. For instance, a plan to reform the governmental structure concerning
forestry sector was announced by the Prime Minister.
(5) Sustainability: Moderate
The Project is sustainable in terms of policy, institutional, social, cultural and environmental aspects. In
financial aspects, budget allocation has been committed by any REDD+ development partners but is not
sufficient in total, and FA still cannot cover even some of its basic activity cost such as allowance and fuel. Inorganizational aspects, it is difficult to predict an impact of the reform of the forestry sector. In technicalaspects, the capacities of the Cambodian side need to be further strengthened especially in relation to theOutcome 4. In total, the sustainability of the Project is evaluated as moderate.
3-3 Factors Promoting Sustainability and Impact(1) Factors Concerning Planningiii

・Mobilize relevant REDD+ development partners: The Cambodian side mobilized fund from many
REDD+ development partners given the timely topic of REDD+. Existence of many REDD+ development
partners would be a factor that negatively affects the Project but the Cambodian side has been making
efforts in producing synergetic effects from inputs of various REDD+ development partners.

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
・ Strengthened ownership and coordination ability: The ownership of the Cambodian side has been wellestablished throughout the project period and led a steady coordination role. The Cambodian side has
gradually understood and recognized REDD+ as its own important agenda while most of the related
development partners respect the initiative and efforts on the Cambodian side.
・ Clear target set by UNFCCC: FA, together with the other implementing organizations and the Project,accelerated a decision making process among government institutions by utilizing a window ofopportunity to present its draft REDD+ strategy or draft NRS at COP21 held in December 2015 and tosubmit FRELs to UNFCCC. These targets also made the Cambodian side and REDD+ development
partners strengthen their collaboration tie toward these same targets.
3-4 Factors Inhibiting Sustainability and Impact(1) Factors Concerning Planning・ Complexity and uncertainty of REDD+: REDD+ has been a new political and technical agenda in aninternational society with complexity and uncertainty especially until UNFCCC COP21 in December
2015. For instance, there are no international standards for the technical methodology to collect andanalyze data and information, which caused common difficulties for all the parties to prepare REDD+.
Even though FA decided to adopt a specific methodology, FA has accepted different methodologies
suggested by different REDD+ development partners at an operational level due to diplomatic concern,
this caused delay and adjustment costs for the activities for Outcome 4.
(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
・ Decision making process: At the beginning of the Project, it took longer time for key Cambodianstakeholders in REDD+ to make policy decisions and share necessary information openly in Cambodian
REDD+ concerned. Longer time was spent also in establishing the REDD+ management structure of theCambodian side, which ended up considerable delay of Project implementation.
3-5 Conclusion
1. Paris Agreement of UNFCCC adopted in December 2015 clearly described the importance of sustainable
forest management and promotion of REDD+ as a mitigation measure, while Royal Government ofCambodia (RGC) has put high priority on preparation of REDD+ as one of its NFP programs. Under thecircumstances, the Project has been implemented in accordance with Cambodia’s REDD+ process
together with other interventions by many REDD+ development partners.
2. The Project made a significant contribution to Cambodia’s REDD+ process by almost achieving theProject Purpose and the four Outcomes at high levels. As for the five evaluation criteria, the Relevance isevaluated as very high, the Effectiveness, the Efficiency and the Impacts are evaluated as relatively high,and the Sustainability is evaluated as moderate.
3. The capacities of FA and the related organization and the structure in RGC to promote the REDD+ process
have been strengthened to some extent. The probability of Cambodia to access REDD+ finance wasincreased as a result of the Project. The payment is expected to contribute to sustainable forest
management as long as a benefit from REDD+ is allocated for sustainable forest management.
4. However, capacity building on the Cambodian side still needs to be further strengthened for
implementation as well as securing its budget. In order to achieve the Overall Goal, furthermore, moreassistance by REDD+ development partners are definitely essential even if the Project Purpose is likely tobe achieved.
3-6 Recommendations
To the key REDD+ Stakeholders:
1. To promote access to REDD+ finance for implementing REDD+ from both Public Fund of internationalorganization and Private Fund of market mechanism to fill a gap of government budget. Continuous
efforts by the Cambodian side for fund raising are expected not to lose the momentum of international
trend and interests for REDD+ and carbon credit.
2. To enhance capacity for implementation at national and sub-national levels, the capacity of relevant

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4.

5.

stakeholders for implementation needs to be further developed on the basis of a short and mid-term plan
according to the practical implementation plan and prioritized activities.
To upgrade the capacity to implement national forest monitoring system, especially FRELs byproduction of 2016 land use/land cover map to ensure the realization of results-based payment. Morestaff should be allocated for MRV activities.
To secure necessary budget for government officers for REDD+ implementation. REDD+ development
partners have been supporting allowance for staff of the Project stakeholders such as travel cost and daily
allowance. Compensation by development partners is not expected to be sustainable. Therefore, FA andother implementing institutions should make efforts to increase the government budget for REDD+.
To accelerate establishment of new integrated institutional setup in forestry sector during the transition
time of institutional reform and to adjust accordingly expected assignment of an advisor from JICA on
REDD+ strategy from JFY 2016.

To JICA:
1. To extend the Project period of the Outcome 4, especially FRELs technically and financially to produce
2016 land use/land cover map and FRELs documents to ensure the realization of results-based payment.
2. To allocate an advisor to support implementation of a national REDD+ strategy.
3-7 Lessons Learned
1. The single policy instrument: Cambodia National REDD+ Roadmap set at earlier stage of the project,made multiple stakeholders on the Cambodian side as well as REDD+ development partners toharmonize their activities.
2. The single work plan for all relevant REDD+ development partners contributes to aligning each effort
for the same goal among Project stakeholders and REDD+ programs, mainly CAM-REDD, UN-REDD
Cambodia Program and FCPF. From the donor’s view point, however, it is sometimes difficult toidentify a concrete outcome from its own specific input given the complexity of input from multiple
partners in the same activities at even PO level. Consideration and effort for the accountability andvisibility must be discussed throughout the project implementation.

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