Evaluation of: The Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund)

The evaluation report by International Financial Consulting Ltd. reviews the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund), which was established to enhance Caribbean trade with Europe and promote regional integration. The fund aimed to support the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), focusing on areas such as the health and wellness industry, tourism, and export readiness. The evaluation employed a variety of research methods, including field missions and interviews, to assess the fund's design, strategy, and effectiveness. Results showed that while CARTFund had positive impacts, such as capacity building and increased awareness of trade agreements, it faced challenges in project implementation, strategic focus, and gender inclusiveness. Private sector projects outperformed public sector ones, but issues with unrealistic targets and stakeholder engagement were noted. The report recommended improvements in project management, capacity building, and a more strategic approach to resource allocation. It also emphasized the need for continued donor support and highlighted 18 key recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of future trade-related initiatives in the Caribbean. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Closed organisation: Department for International Development
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation; Process evaluation
• Impact methods: Theory-based methods
• Theory-based methods: Other
• Process methods: Individual interviews; Surveys and polling
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: May 2015

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes