EPRM Impact Evaluation-Ambition A

This impact evaluation assessed the European Partnership for Responsible Mining (EPRM), and more specifically the ‘Responsible Production’ (Ambition A) component. Considering the high demand for minerals from European industries (mainly tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold – 3TG), and aware of the existing link between mineral trade sourced from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAS) and violence and human right abuses, the European Union introduced the EU Responsible Minerals Regulation (EURMR) in 2017. The EPRM was created in 2016 to accompany the implementation of the EURMR through a multistakeholder partnership with members from governments and institutions, supply chain actors and civil society organizations. This partnership aims to “create better social and economic conditions for mine workers and local mining communities, by increasing the number of mines that use responsible mining practices in CAHRAs, potentially contributing to conflict and risk reduction”. To achieve its goal, the EPRM works to achieve three ambitions along the supply chain: - Ambition A - Supporting mine sites (upstream): The EPRM aims to support artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) to apply best practices in terms of responsibility and sustainability, through financing projects to raise awareness, increase capacity and formalize access to markets. - Ambition B - Supporting companies (mid- and downstream): The EPRM aims to support companies to improve responsible sourcing, mainly through raising awareness on conducting due diligence practices. - Ambition C - Linking production and sourcing: The EPRM aims to create solid and transparent linkages between the supply chain actors. The objectives of the evaluation were twofold: - Assess progress in reaching the desired outcomes and impacts of EPRM-funded projects and the sustainability of these changes to generate forward-looking lessons for the project partners and similar programs (learning) - Assess whether the EPRM has been effective and efficient in reaching these changes (accountability towards donors and target groups) The general methodology of this evaluation followed a theory-based approach and relied on mixed-method data collection tools (desk review, portfolio analysis, secondary data analysis, KIIs, FGDs, online survey and case studies). The principles of process tracing and outcome harvesting have been applied in the various data collection tools.


Project Details
Country WORLDWIDE
Start date 2023.07.01
End date 2024.05.31
Client RVO-Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland
Sector EVALUATION
Sub-sector Project/Program
Ref. ADE A622-017