The global objective of this assignment was to design and formulate a realistic, demand-driven strategy for the Pakistan Rural Employment and Business Opportunities Programme (€50 million) on behalf of the European Union. We employed a participatory approach to develop the programme in close coordination with local stakeholders and the EU Delegation.

We divided the project in two phases for a comprehensive study of the current situation and challenges and an optimized design of the intervention. In the Identification Phase, we undertook a pre-feasibility study to analyse the status quo and comprehensively evaluation all possible interventions. Through the comprehensive analysis, we suggested the best approach and content for the programme that we validated through a Stakeholder Workshop with beneficiary representatives. This Phase was completed by drafting an Identification Fiche with necessary annexes (EU template) to define the programme and officially propose it to the EU Delegation.

The second phase was a Formulation Phase to prepare the Terms of Reference for the programme on behalf of the EU, including the logical framework, indicators, and means of verification. We planned an implementation timetable and estimated the resources required for an indicative cost estimation of the proposed programme and activities. The final output was a presentation and consulting session with the EU Delegation and submission of an Action Document with all necessary annexes.

• Analysed the relevant policy and institutional set-up, assessing gaps for potential EU interventions
• Assessed the technical capacities of the potential project implementers
• Analysed the social and economic impact of the proposed intervention
• Defined the key indicators to be used within the programme’s logical framework to measure progress and impact
• Reviewed the EUD on-going and foreseen activities in the rural development and trade sectors, identifying synergies and expansion opportunities
• Assessed other Donors’ relevant activities, looking at collaboration opportunities, lessons learnt and unexploited angles across their action
• Prepared the establishment of a regular sectoral donor coordination forum
• Analysed national and provincial strategies for trade, agriculture, rural development, employment, private sector and SMEs development, engaging with relevant federal and provincial authorities so to ensure consistency (and political support) for the action
• Engaged with the representatives of the Private Sector in the four Provinces to devise potential lines of intervention and priority sectors including farm & off-farm
• Assessed the readiness and capacity of relevant authorities to engage with the envisaged programme and provide institutional support
• Assessed the technical capacities of the potential project implementers
• Identified feasible mechanisms and partners for implementation