Abstract
The purpose of the final performance evaluation of the Regional Integrated Trade and Food Security Strategy 2017-2017 (the Strategy), a USAID Central America (USAID/CAM) initiative, was to determine if the design and implementation of the four activities under the Strategy were effective in achieving the Strategy's expected results, and to inform on future programming in trade and food security based on that analysis. The evaluation covered implementation of the Strategy from its inception in September 2011 through September 30, 2016. It was based on evaluation questions and evaluation criteria, and included extensive document reviews, key informant interviews, site visits and an online survey. Its field work included interviews in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the U.S. The evaluation found that strengthening of national governments' and regional entities' capacity for analysis and policy formulation related to trade facilitation and food security was one of the major accomplishments of the activities. The Strategy activities have contributed to producer organizations capacity building, but the impact on their income remains to be seen. There were no significant instances of collaboration among the four Strategy's activities, nor were they mandated or monitored. Same can be said about gender integration activities or interventions. Activities did contribute to the dissemination and use of science, technology and innovation for agricultural practices among small farmers, mostly through training and technical assistance. (Author abstract)