SDF held a joint project monitoring field mission to Zhemgang and Mongar districts in Bhutan to assess the project – "Promoting Integrated Bamboo Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries. The objective of the field mission was to present a report to SDF management regarding the quality and appropriateness of on-going activities with suggestion and recommendation to improve project implementation.

"Traditionally, about 21 items were made from a single bamboo clam or root. But now more than 300 different products can be made from the bamboo," said Choden Lhamo, one of the many farmers who have gained new employment through the SDF-funded project during the field monitoring visit.

Impact Evaluation of SDF-Funded Projects in SAARC Member States:

1. Strengthening Mother & Child Health (MCH) including Immunization in by a 24/7 Emergency Obstetric and New Born Care (EMONC) Services;
2. Empowering Rural Communities Reaching the unreached

The evaluation has two principal purposes. The first is accountability, so as to ensure that development actions actually lead to development outcomes. The second is learning, so as to offer an evidence base for selecting and designing development interventions that are likely to be effective in fostering outcomes of interest.
The first draft report of the evaluation will be submitted to SDF towards the end of 2019.