Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species: ROUTES Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Report

The Partnership brings together international conservation organizations, donors, government, and the transportation and logistics industry to disrupt wildlife trafficking by reducing the use of legal transportation supply chains. The ROUTES Partnership focuses on international air transportation supply chains, taking advantage of the high level of interest and emerging champions in the industry to maximize results and impact. The program strives to meet five Objectives: improve data and analytics on wildlife trafficking, engage corporate leadership to combat wildlife trafficking, improve the ability of transportation personnel to assist law enforcement, integrate wildlife trafficking into industry standards and protocols, and increase passenger and client awareness of wildlife trafficking issues. The ROUTES Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (M,E&L) Plan is based on the Theory of Change (TOC) and Results Chains, which track the assumed steps and changes required to move from the situation at the inception of ROUTES to the achievement of the overall goal. The M,E&L Plan was developed through an extensive collaborative process with input from the Objective Leads and with the support of USAID and its Measuring Impact team. The monitoring framework contains 36 indicators, several of which contribute to the US Government Standard Indicators as well as the indicators developed as part of USAID’s Toolkit for Improving Action and Accountability on Measuring Impact to Combat Wildlife Crime. A set of Learning and Evaluation questions has been developed to ensure that ROUTES not only measures its achievements but reviews the assumptions of the TOC, the performance of the Partnership, and the suitability of the M,E&L Plan itself. The ROUTES Partnership has made significant progress in achieving its Objectives. Key achievements include the development of a comprehensive data and analytics framework to track wildlife trafficking, engagement with corporate leadership to combat wildlife trafficking, and improvement of the ability of transportation personnel to assist law enforcement. The Partnership has also integrated wildlife trafficking into industry standards and protocols, and increased passenger and client awareness of wildlife trafficking issues. The ROUTES Annual Report highlights the impact that the Partnership has had within the aviation industry through the delivery of its activities. The report also discusses the challenges faced by the Partnership, including the timing of approvals and funding from USAID, which resulted in a delay in the implementation of activities. Despite these challenges, the Partnership has made significant progress in achieving its Objectives and has set ambitious targets for the next reporting period. The ROUTES Partnership has also made significant progress in engaging with the aviation industry to combat wildlife trafficking. The Partnership has worked with major airlines, airports, and industry associations to develop and implement measures to prevent wildlife trafficking. The Partnership has also engaged with government agencies and law enforcement to improve the ability of transportation personnel to assist in the detection and prosecution of wildlife trafficking. The ROUTES Partnership has also made significant progress in increasing passenger and client awareness of wildlife trafficking issues. The Partnership has developed and implemented a range of awareness-raising activities, including training programs for airline staff, public awareness campaigns, and educational materials for passengers. The Partnership has also worked with industry partners to develop and implement measures to prevent wildlife trafficking, including the development of industry standards and protocols. Overall, the ROUTES Partnership has made significant progress in achieving its Objectives and has set ambitious targets for the next reporting period. The Partnership continues to work with the aviation industry, government agencies, and law enforcement to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.