Reporting results
Photo: NDF/ Siv Ahlberg
Developments since 2021
The outcome of NDF’s Results Management Framework (RMF) baseline exercise was captured in our 2021 Results Report. This entailed assessing progress by project and aggregating this information at the portfolio level. Projections for both active and newly approved projects were captured to the extent possible.
Following our Theory of Change structure, the 2022 results show a steady, incremental progress towards the 2025 projections. Our active portfolio consists of projects in different stages: inception, full implementation or near completion. All these projects inform this report: the 2021 baseline, 2022 results and 2025 projections.
However, it should be noted that several projects are in early stages of implementation and results data is not yet available. Also, many of the project-level projections go beyond 2025 and the projections presented here do not cover those of the full portfolio, but rather illustrate projections within the current NDF Strategy period. The projections are composed of aggregate projected targets and project-level estimations. These are reviewed on an annual basis as part of the results collection process and thus should be treated as dynamic and changing.
Overview of 2022 results
Photo: GOAL Global
Applying systematic results management
The results for this report have been collected by applying the Results Management Framework (RMF). NDF’s RMF is the apex of the organisation’s results architecture and serves as a platform for analysing performance trends, identifying underlying issues, and reflecting on agreed actions with stakeholders and strategic partners to advance our performance.
With this framework in place, we continue to analyse and present portfolio level results, reflecting the direction and targets set in our Strategy 2025. The results captured in this report build on NDF’s climate mandate including the provision of concessional financing with a strong focus on climate adaptation and broader development outcomes, in particular in least developed countries and countries in fragile situations.
Methodology used
NDF is a co-financier and provides catalytic and early-stage financing in concert with other financing partners. Consequently, the data that is used for developing this report is so-called secondary and reflects NDF’s contribution to the reported results and impact. NDF counts on partners’ provision of accurate data and reporting.
NDF’s project portfolio consists of a range of different types of projects, and each have their own reporting cycles and the timing of reporting varies. Thus, the aggregates reported by NDF represent “as of now” summaries.
The indicator-based results, impact data and most updated targets and projections are provided by the implementing partners, mostly annually. This data is reviewed and quality assured by NDF, with further consultations with partners as needed.
Ignitia, a project supported by Nordic Climate Facility, provides small-scale farmers in Burkina Faso custom and accurate weather forecasting data. Photo: Ignitia
Key learnings
NDF has captured many lessons through this exercise and used them to improve our data collection, analysis and our operations.
- Data quality. It is sometimes difficult to ensure the quality of data. Review and data validation can be challenging and time-consuming, requiring multiple consultation rounds with partners. This is particularly the case for projects that have been active for a longer period and where the RMF was not built into the design of the projects.
- Data availability. Data is not always disaggregated by sex, particularly in longer-running projects, making it challenging to draw gender-specific analysis. Other data gaps also still exist. We engage in significant capacity building and dialogue with partners to improve this.
- Co-creation for adding value. NDF co-creates projects together with partners and extends its expertise in Results-Based Management in these designs. The use of RMF has added significant value to the overall quality of the projects.
- End-of-project results. With the use of RMF and the Evaluation Guidelines, more emphasis is now on end-of-project data and evaluations. Final evaluations assess the development effectiveness and likelihood of impact that occurs beyond the project lifetime, including climate adaptation and resilience benefits as well as the gendered impacts of climate change.
- Data-driven decision-making. The information and knowledge deriving from the analysis of the portfolio level progress data can now be used more effectively for strategic decision-making that aligns with our mandate and purpose.
We are not alone with this challenge. The SDG Report 2022 identified the unavailability of disaggregated data as a major concern and calls for investments towards improving the data quality.