Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation Performance Evaluation Report

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The program's primary goal is to promote regional cooperation and stability in the Black Sea region. The program's effectiveness was evaluated through a performance evaluation report, which assessed the program's grantmaking, engagement in restrictive environments, harmonization with USAID mission programming, comparative advantage, and encouragement of leverage and sustainability. The evaluation found that the program's transnational grantmaking programs had a greater impact than single-country programming, and its operating model facilitated effective engagement in restrictive environments. The evaluation also found that while duplication was avoided with mission programming, greater direct communication with missions would improve harmonization. The program enjoys its greatest advantages in regional programming and in areas where the German Marshall Fund operates, such as analysis and advocacy. The program's rapid-response capacity and openness to new programs are also advantages, particularly in single-country grantmaking. However, the evaluation noted that the program does not promote organizational sustainability, and it could provide more support in this area. The program encourages grantees to leverage funding, but it could provide more support in this area. The evaluation concluded with 14 recommendations for the program's grantmaking and operations. The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data. The evaluation team conducted surveys, interviews, and document reviews to gather data. The evaluation team also analyzed data from Freedom House ratings and other sources to assess the program's impact. The evaluation found that the program's grants had a positive impact on the region, particularly in areas such as democracy, human rights, and governance. The evaluation also found that the program's operating model facilitated effective engagement in restrictive environments, and its rapid-response capacity and openness to new programs were advantages. The evaluation concluded that the program's greatest strengths are its regional programming and its ability to engage in restrictive environments. However, the program could improve its harmonization with USAID mission programming by increasing direct communication with missions. The program could also improve its support for organizational sustainability and leverage funding. The evaluation's findings and recommendations are presented in the report, which includes an executive summary, introduction and background, methodology, findings and conclusions, and recommendations. The report also includes annexes, which provide additional information on the evaluation's methodology, data collection instruments, and conflict of interest disclosures. Overall, the evaluation found that the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation is a effective program that promotes regional cooperation and stability in the Black Sea region. However, the program could improve its harmonization with USAID mission programming and its support for organizational sustainability and leverage funding.