TCP processes and underlying policies have been drastically simplified while enhancing results-based principles (see recommendation 5). As reported to Governing Bodies (see Programme Implementation Report 2020-21, para 308), efficiency gains achieved by simplifying e.g. the project document and reporting formats, and not handling small TCP projects in the same ways as multi-million USD projects are leading to recurrent staff-time savings of about USD 3.5 million per biennium. Efforts to seek further streamlining in the context of a more programmatic approach to country level activities are under way.  

As a result of these efforts, and as recorded in the financial status reports of the Organization, we are recording sustained improvements in the overall speed of approval and delivery.  These simplifications also played a crucial role during the COVID 19 pandemic. Through adaptive and flexible management approaches, TCP delivery remained on-track despite considerable challenges to FAO’s field operations. 

The TCP website has become a repository for TCP results, examples for good practices and lessons learned, and is now also an integral part of FAO’s Transparency Portal. The website is continuously being updated and enriched with the latest data extracted from various sources. This includes not only terminal reports and direct follow-up with stakeholders, but also the systematic collection of catalytic effects subsequent to project closure through the Annual Reports of FAO Representatives.

In addition, in the framework of country reviews conducted by the Office of Evaluation, a pilot is underway to systematically assess the catalytic outcomes of TCP two years after project closure.  The upcoming release of a corporate Programme and Project Monitoring Framework is expected to further enhance and facilitate the systematic documentation of results data.  

While procedures and requirements for the approval of TCP projects have been substantially simplified, the support to result-based management and quality project design has been further enhanced. The TCP project document format is now centered around a TCP specific results framework and provides detailed guidance to formulators for its completion. In addition, dedicated programme officers support formulators in quality assurance with special attention to the results chain. Compared to the period reviewed by the TCP evaluation (2012-2019), TCP project design has been significantly improved. In addition, a series of innovative eLearning tools are being released to improve the quality of project design and application of lessons learned. 

In parallel to the 2020 TCP Evaluation, FAO Governing Bodies initiated a strategic exercise to review the TCP. One of the key aspects of the exercise was the review of how TCP resources are allocated. In close collaboration with Members a new methodology was agreed to determine the regional TCP resource shares.  The methodology, applied to resource allocations as of the 2024-25 biennium, is based on a set of criteria including the number of countries in each region and SDG derived indicators establishing comparative levels of need and vulnerability.

For the distribution of resources within a region, a harmonized set of principles were developed in close collaboration with the responsible regional management teams. A set of tools and corporate dashboards allows for the transparent monitoring of TCP project approvals and status of implementation.