Ending activities is a key part of the overall GEF IW project and it often a challenge to the PCU staff faced with need to seek new opportunities. Ensuring that staff are available to close the project and to compile all the project outputs and to summarise achievements is key to demonstrating the successes of the GEF IW project. The following check-list identifies the key activities that are expected at Project Closure.

L – Lead; X – involved

FINALISING ALL REPORTS (PROJECT OUTPUTS):

It is important that all the main project outputs (including technical, progress reports and project information sheets, e.g. Experience Notes) are finalised and made available on the project website. This is clearly an important legacy of the GEF IW project’s actions and will be an import resource for both the region and to other GEF IW projects. In addition the Terminal Evaluator will also need access to this material.

EXIT STRATEGY

A component of the Project’s activities is to assist the countries in identifying means to replicate and sustain the work of the GEF IW activities. This can be summarised in an ‘exit strategy’ which makes recommendations on sustainability/replication and highlights a road-map for the countries (or a commission or similar body) on future priorities and can act as a precursor to any follow-on GEF supported activity. [Examples of exit strategies are presented in Part 4]

TERMINAL EVALUATION:

All GEF IW projects undergo a Terminal Evaluation to capture the lessons and experiences and validate the achievements and impacts made by the project. While the management and organisation of this will be the responsibility of the Implementing or Executing Agency it is usually expected that the PCU plays a proactive role in facilitating the work of the Terminal Evaluator – particularly in assisting with national and regional logistics for the mission and establishing contact/meetings with stakeholders. It is likely that the PCU (in consultation with the GEF implementing/executing) will also assist in briefing the PSC and other stakeholders on the purpose of the Terminal Evaluation and the inputs that would be beneficial to the TE. 

FINAL PROJECT REPORT:

It is usually expected that a final project report is prepared as a summary to guide stakeholders (including the GEF implementing/executing and the GEF) through the multitude of project outputs and to present conclusions / recommendations for the future. The expectations for this should be discussed with the PSC a year prior to the planned end of the project to enable sufficient time for this report to be prepared for the final PSC. 

FINALISING WEBSITE:

At the end of the project the website should be ‘handed over’ to IW:LEARN to ensure sustainability of the information. The project has a final task of reviewing all material to ensure that the remaining material is relevant (for example there are no ‘calls for tender’ left on the web) and consideration is given on how ‘news’ sections are left.

AUDITS:

The requirements for final financial audits will have been made explicit by the GEF implementing/executing agencies and they will be the main source of guidance on this activity.

FINAL PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING:

The final PSC is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of the project and to demonstrate to all stakeholders the successes and lessons leaned. It is also an opportunity for the Project to present the final report, progress against targets and other indicators from the Project logframe. Final Project Steering Committee meetings can also be linked to broader stakeholder meetings to highlight the successes of the project to celebrate the overall achievements.