The Development Smart Innovation through Research Agriculture - Rwanda (DeSIRA) project was implemented to enhance the climate resilience of rural livelihoods in the Eastern Province and Kigali’s peri-urban areas. Funded by the European Union and the Belgian Federal Government, the project was managed by Enabel in partnership with the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), operating with a total budget of 4,000,000 EUR. The intervention addressed challenges such as land degradation and low agricultural productivity by promoting innovative agroforestry and efficient tree resource utilization. Its specific objective focused on improving the effectiveness of climate-smart agroforestry through research-proven practices. Key results included the development of evidence-based agroforestry technologies, the scaling of innovative extension services, and the strengthening of institutional capacities for sustainable resource management.

The final evaluation was conducted to ensure accountability to stakeholders and to facilitate organizational learning for future programming. The analysis covered the project’s entire implementation period from February 2020 to the end of 2024, utilizing a methodology based on the six standard DAC criteria. While the evaluation addressed all dimensions, specific focus was placed on the criteria of effectiveness and sustainability to determine the long-term viability of the research-to-action model. The evaluation also integrated an in-depth analysis of partnerships and cross-cutting themes, specifically examining the project's impact on gender equality, youth inclusion, and climate change adaptation. The study also explored the institutionalization of capacity development within national agencies to safeguard the continuity of the project’s technical gains.