STEP is a process oriented multi-sectoral project that aims to significantly and sustainably improve household income, food security and access to basic services for rural communities. The Project is implemented by a network of NGOs and Development Agencies under the local government structure. The Project objectives are met by establishing and strengthening relevant community based organizations. The focus is on building self-management capacities of local communities and capacity building for service providers, micro finance projects and stakeholder coordination. Key results identified were:

Community Self Management: Community Based Organisations (CBO) strengthened and managing development activities working in collaboration with partners;

Improved service delivery by Government and NGOs; quality of services improved in areas of agriculture, household income, education and health

Community initiated micro-projects implemented to address priority needs of the local communities;

Micro-finance organizations strengthened and linked to formal lending sources;

Improved stakeholder coordination with linkages between government, civil society and development agencies strengthened for sustained, coordinated and effective implementation of development activities for improved rural livelihoods. 

The mid-term review had the following specific objectives: to assess the progress against the key result areas and their potential towards realizing the project purpose; (ii) to assess the relevance of the strategies and the processes for achieving the stated results; and (iii) to draw lessons for adjustments to strategies and project activities. The review encompassed five major components:

• Interactions with key stakeholders;
• Interactions with the strategic partners;
• Survey at NGO and village level; collection of quantitative data;
• Five workshops to capture the experiences and vision of the key stakeholders
• Study of relevant documents, plans, strategy papers and studies.

The review recommended: improving access to natural resources (land, water, forest); focus on income generating activities including facilitation of market linkages; better inclusion of vulnerable households; provision of training in LFA, economic feasibility and marketing

Provision of technical assistance for the evaluation of a Euro 20 million Project designed to empower rural communities and enhance living standards in rural areas. Expertise covered:

• Social mobilisation
• Micro-finance
• Micro-enterprise development
• Rural livelihoods
• Agriculture, forestry and natural resource management;
• Institutional strengthening, including public administration and community institutions;
• Project Cycle Management and Logical Framework Analysis

Services provided as sub-contractor to HTSPE