Evaluation of the EcoAction Community Funding Program

May 2009

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Report Clearance Steps

Planning phase completed - October 2008
Report sent for management response - April 2009
Management response received - May 2009
Report completed - May 2009
Report approved by Departmental Evaluation Committee (DEC) - May 2009

Acronyms used in the report

ADM - Assistant Deputy Minister
CA - Contribution Agreement
CAPE - Community Action Programs for the Environment
DG - Director General
DEC - Departmental Evaluation Committee
EDF - Environmental Damage Fund
E&E - Education and Engagement
EPF - Environmental Partners Fund
ES - Ecosystem Sustainability
FTE - Full-time Equivalent
FY - Fiscal Year
G&C - Grants and Contributions
GHG - Greenhouse Gas
HSP - Habitat Stewardship Program 
IAS - Invasive Alien Species
NCR - National Capital Region
NCU - National Coordination Unit
MIS - Management Information System
O&M - Operations and Management
OAG - Office of the Auditor General
OPG - Outcome Project Groupings 
OPP - Outcome Project Plan 
OTC - One-Tonne Challenge
PAA - Program Activity Architecture
PAC - Public Advisory Committee
PMF - Performance Measurement Framework
RBAF - Results-based Accountability Framework 
RDG - Regional Directors General
RMAF - Result-based Management and Accountability Framework 
RMS - Result Management Structure 

Acknowledgments

The Audit and Evaluation Branch, Evaluation Division Project Team led by Linda Lee and including Robert Tkaczyk, under the direction of the Director, Shelley Borys, would like to thank those individuals who contributed to this project, particularly members of the Evaluation Committee as well as all interviewees and survey respondents who provided insights and comments crucial to this evaluation.  This evaluation was conducted by R.A. Malatest and Associates Ltd., and the final report was prepared by R.A. Malatest and Associates Ltd. and the Evaluation Division Project Team, Audit and Evaluation Branch. 

Table of Contents

  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
  2. 1.0 INTRODUCTION
  3. 2.0 BACKGROUND
    1. 2.1 Profile
    2. 2.2 Roles and Responsibilities
    3. 2.3 Profile of Applications, Approved and Completed Projects
  4. 3.0 EVALUATION DESIGN
    1. 3.1 Purpose and Scope
    2. 3.2 Evaluation Approach and Methodology
    3. 3.3 Research Challenges and Limitations
    4. 3.4 Notes on Reporting
  5. 4.0 FINDINGS
    1. 4.1 Relevance
    2. 4.2 Success
    3. 4.3 Cost Effectiveness
    4. 4.4 Design and Delivery
  6. 5.0 CONCLUSIONS
  7. 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
  8. 7.0 MANAGEMENT RESPONSE
  9. Annex 1 Evaluation Issues and Questions
  10. Annex 2 List of Background Information and Supporting Documentation
  11. Annex 3 Results from 486 Completed EcoAction Projects
  12. Annex 4 List of Interviewees
  13. Annex 5 Summary Table of Findings
  14. Annex 6 Assessing Leveraged Contributions

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