1. ENRAP Phase I
Goal
“to enhance the ability of IFAD-funded projects to address rural poverty”
Purpose
Build connectivity and electronic communication (horizontal and vertical)
Knowledge networking among IFAD-supported projects (including documentation of local knowledge, improve access to technical research)
Local Applications Development

2. Project Data
Pilot project, Phase I - approved by Executive Board on April 1998
Implementation Period - 3 years (mid September 2001)
Implementing Institution: IDRC, Singapore Office

3. ENRAP Phase I Evaluation
Objectives
1. Assess the experience and impact of ENRAP Phase I
2. Generate lessons and recommendations for Phase II design and implementation
Process
Field work, June - July 2001
Evaluation team visited 10 projects in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Philippines

4. Evaluation Methodology
Review of ENRAP Documents
Desk assessment of progress reports & presentations made by projects at ENRAP workshops
Technical & content assessment of ENRAP website
Discussions with key implementing partners, at various levels (Governments, project staff, participating NGOs)
Discussions with beneficiaries and field visits

5. Key Activities Undertaken
Electronic connectivity established for selected projects
Five networking workshops organised
Training provided by ENRAP project team
Small hardware provided to projects
Local application developments - (e.g. project website and database, newsletters, documentation of experiences)

6. Performance of ENRAP Network
Increased awareness that greater communication contributes to better project implementation and impact
Led to recognition among concerned stakeholders to capture & share local knowledge and best practices
Capacity building (key players - in the use of PCs, Internet, , design and use of websites, other software for management)
use - enhanced communication

7. Performance of ENRAP Network
ENRAP website - contains many documents, needs better organisation, streamline web design, limited use by projects and developing countries
Impact - premature to assess impact on rural livelihoods - positive impact on human resource development, initiation of attitudinal and management changes among concerned partners

8. Key Insights 1. Focused objectives for ENRAP Phase II
2. Better integration of ENRAP with IFAD-supported projects
3. ENRAP knowledge management activities streamlined with project processes
4. Network of Networks - Emphasis of building electronic and knowledge networks at local and national levels.
5. Build capacity of grassroots workers to act as intermediaries between ENRAP and rural people
6. Government as key partner for ownership, support and up-scaling/replication

9. Learning from phase I Some recommendations of the evaluation:
The second phase should address the full range of computer applications (besides connectivity and Internet aspects) required by the projects,
ENRAP should refocus on national networking
ENRAP should be reconfigured from a hub-and-spokes model to a network-of-networks configuration
greater attention to the engagement of country focal points for IFAD work
Key actors should have reliable and internet connectivity

10. Learning from Phase I More recommendations:…………
view ENRAP as a core component of the IFAD project rather than as a separate project in itself.
communities should be empowered through relevant information in local languages
ENRAP II should further strengthen a culture of learning and sharing
Government as a key partner for ownership and replication
The ENRAP web site should be redesigned in consultation with participating projects