The main rationale of this evaluation was to provide objective information to the MFA about the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of three ICI projects, and to give guidance on the use of this instrument in the transition phase in Vietnam from bilateral development cooperation to wider commercial, political and cultural relations. The 3 evaluated projects included:

Developing and Implementing Climate Change Adaptation Measures at Local Level in Vietnam (VIETADAPT) - Project responded to the identified needs related to water resources protection, assessment of climate change impacts on water resources, exchange and provision of water resources data and information and application of new technologies and relevant research on climate studies.

Promoting Modernization of Hydro-meteorological Services in Vietnam (PROMOSERV) - Project enhanced the capacity of the relevant national agency to work with automatic weather stations, weather radars, real-time data quality control, central data management systems, integration of different meteorological data sources, lightning detection, storm cell tracking and weather forecasting to reduce risks for the loss of life and property caused by severe weather and climate events.

Capacity Building for the Selective Breeding Programmes in Vietnam (RIA-1-RKTL/Luke) – Project focused on developing sustainable selective breeding programs with special emphasis on adaptation to climate change, fish health and environmental sustainability through cold water aquaculture, post harvesting issues and food safety technologies, trout and white fish reproduction, genetic breeding and environmental technologies.

All three ICI projects have acknowledged climate sustainability, which was the particular subject of VIETADAPT and PROMOSERV. Adaptation to climate change impacts has also been a particular focus of support to RIA-1.

The purpose of this evaluation was to provide information for the implementation of Finland’s transition strategy for Vietnam in 2016–2020. The evaluation included assessments of lessons learned from institutional cooperation and ICI as an instrument to promote transition from development cooperation towards commercially based cooperation. It also provided information on the extent that the ICI projects have created awareness of Finnish expertise in Vietnam to support Vietnam’s development needs. In addition, proposals for starting new ICI projects in Vietnam have been submitted to the MFA, and the purpose of the evaluation was to support planning of potential new ICI project/s.

During this assignment our the team assessed the impacts and sustainability of the three ICI projects, and to what extent they have been able to form a basis for enhancing commercial cooperation between Finland and Vietnam, and created partnerships for future collaboration that is not using ODA funding, as well as to what extent the ICI projects have facilitated the internationalization of the ICI implementers and opened up new financing or commercial opportunities for institutions.