The overall objective of the mid-term evaluation (the 'Evaluation') was to assess the progress of the Regional Housing Programme relating to beneficiaries and sustainability. Thereby the progress was assessed against the objectives and results set forth in the Framework Programme of the Joint Regional Programme on Durable Solutions for Refugees and Displaced Persons and as these were further developed in the Country Feasibility Reports.
The overall RHP objective, as defined in the Joint Programme document, was to comprehensively contribute towards completion of the protracted displacement situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Republic of Croatia and Republic of Serbia by providing durable and sustainable housing solutions with full respect for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons and the mutual obligation to closely cooperate and synchronize activities in order to ensure durable solutions for them, either through voluntary return and reintegration or local integration.
The relevant outputs of the Framework Programme were the following:
- Housing in accordance with appropriate minimum standards and related public infrastructure with utilities 'connection provided to beneficiaries (both for households in the return area in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and in places of local integration in all Partner Countries);
- Return and reintegration of returning beneficiaries facilitated (applicable to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Croatia);
- Local integration in the places of displacement facilitated (applicable to all four
Partner Countries);
- Collective centres in Croatia accommodating returnees closed, and where refugees were accommodated closed;
- All 1991-1995 refugees residing in CCs in Serbia moved to housing units provided within the RHP.
- Adequate housing solutions within institutions of social welfare system in Bosnia and
Herzegovina provided;
- Accommodation and care in newly built homes for elderly in Montenegro and Croatia provided, following the closure of collective centres in Croatia.
- Inclusion and integration in social welfare system facilitated (applicable to BiH, Montenegro and Croatia).
The following general questions were in particular needed to be addressed:
- Are the original RHP targets for beneficiaries and beneficiary types still a valid reflection of existing needs?
- Is the RHP reaching and addressing the needs of the families that most need its support?
- Is the RHP on target to achieve sustainable solutions?
- What are the Governments doing to ensure full respect for rights of refugees and IDPs?
- What are the gaps and how they could be addressed?