Short Abstract

This presentation shares lessons from evaluations conducted in Sahel countries in West Africa and Dry Corridor countries in Latin America. It demonstrates how evaluative evidence trigger recommendations that strengthen policy and programme design for development effectiveness in fragile contexts.

Description

Purpose.

This presentation shares key evaluative lessons from evaluations conducted in Sahel countries in West Africa and Dry Corridor countries in Latin America. It demonstrates how evaluative evidence can trigger actionable recommendations that strengthen policy and programme design and enhance development effectiveness in fragile contexts.

Methods.

A theory-based evaluation design was applied, supported by a conceptual analytical framework adapted to the complexity of the themes and contexts evaluated and to relevant development approaches. This model distinguished contextual factors from operational dimensions, generating evidence that is both analytically robust and operationally useful. It provided a structured understanding of how fragility affects system components and how interventions can mitigate vulnerabilities.

Key findings.

The analytical framework shows how contextual elements shape social, economic, environmental and policy-related system components, contributing to fragility depending on the frequency and magnitude of shocks. Supported operations contribute to results by reducing vulnerability to fragility drivers, lowering exposure to risks or strengthening coping and mitigating abilities. Developing resilience capacities is therefore essential. Resilience refers to a system’s ability to absorb, respond to and recover from hazards and involves strengthening absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities. These capacities are interconnected and can be built concurrently at individual, household, community and national levels, as well as across social and ecological systems.

In the Sahel region, it is important to build on endogenous and customary arrangements—such as traditional natural resource management and land tenure systems—and on existing mechanisms like credit and savings groups. These provide strong foundations for strengthening absorptive and adaptive capacities. Investments in improved natural resource management, including small-scale irrigation and climate-smart agricultural practices, are also critical. Equally important is investing in human and social capital to foster grassroots organisations capable of compensating for weak state–citizen relationships in fragile institutional environments.

In the Dry Corridor of Central America, fragility is driven by the combined effects of climate shocks, socioeconomic pressures and institutional weaknesses. Recurrent droughts and crop losses, together with migration that reduces the productive workforce, heighten vulnerability. Addressing these challenges requires interventions that strengthen resilience through climate-resilient agricultural practices—such as soil and water conservation, drought-tolerant crops and livelihood diversification—and through investments in climate-adapted value chains. Strengthening community and institutional systems is equally important, particularly where support to producer organisations enhances collective action, resource access and coping mechanisms.

Across both regions, women and youth are critical actors whose specific vulnerabilities and opportunities must be addressed. Interventions supporting their economic empowerment should be context-responsive and intentionally designed. Operational approaches must also remain flexible and adaptive to respond to rapidly evolving conditions.

Contribution to practice.

Key lessons have informed improvements in IFAD’s policy and operational framework for fragile contexts, including strengthened guidance for strategy and programme development, approval of a new adaptive operational framework and increased resources for engagement in fragile situations.

Relevance.

The presentation aligns with Theme 1 on influencing policy and programme change, with links to Theme 2 on evaluation culture and Theme 3 on communicating for action. It shows how evaluative evidence can guide strategic decisions in uncertain contexts.