Promoting transformations by linking nature, wealth and power (TransLinks) performance evaluation final report

TransLinks focused on global knowledge generation and capacity building, principally through the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned in natural resource management (NRM). TransLinks worked to strengthen understanding of the relationships between the way ecosystems work (nature), the livelihoods that depend on those ecosystems (wealth), and the institutions that control access to natural resources (power). The TransLinks evaluation framework addressed how the program achieved its objectives through seven evaluation questions that were used to examine results pertaining to performance outcomes, project design and management, and broader program dissemination: (1) how did Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)/Forest Trends use the lessons learned that they produced internally to influence their (or their international partners') programs; (2) to what extent was new NRM knowledge generated from this work? (i.e., new peer reviewed articles, new grey literature produced, additional/ new lines of research questions explored); (3) what role did project design (and any changes/evolution in the design) play in the final results of the program; (4) what are the lessons from this partnership and/or consortium; (5) from TransLinks' results, what were the key determinants of success in documenting and disseminating the results of successful NRM tools for greater adoption; (6) have (and if so, how) these case studies affected the development of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) mechanism; and (7) have (and if so, how) these case studies affected the development of innovations in Payment for Ecological Services (PES)? Specific evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are provided with detailed analysis for each evaluation question. (Excerpt, modified)