External Evaluation of the Swiss Programme on Capacities for Trade Policies (C4TP) in the last Year of Implementation

• Research unit: SECO
• Project number: WEHU230/SECO-063.514-10/1

Short description (English)

The evaluation concludes that the C4TP programme performs satisfactorily, demonstrating that its tools—capacity-building services and high-quality trade data—provide clear added value for beneficiary governments. It finds that the programme is conceptually relevant and well aligned with evolving global trade policy needs, but identifies gaps in the accessibility and customization of trade data for non-expert users. Effectiveness is strongest in full-fledged country programmes, while small or fill-the-gap interventions are less impactful due to limited awareness, varying absorption capacity, and weak institutional coordination. The efficiency analysis highlights that comprehensive interventions are cost-effective, whereas smaller ones face disproportionate administrative burdens. The evaluation finds evidence of positive impact on trade policy capacities, though overall impact remains difficult to quantify due to short implementation timelines and fragmented smaller projects. Sustainability depends on governments’ ability to institutionalize C4TP tools and skills, leading the evaluation to recommend strengthened knowledge management and improved long-term access to programme materials.

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