Module 2

The Logical Framework Approach

& the Intervention Cycle
Management
Logical Framework Approach: designing an intervention
 Projects, Programmes and Interventions
Project: a set of inputs, activities and outputs, agreed with the partner country*, to reach specific
objectives/outcomes within a defined timeframe, with a defined budget and a defined geographical area. …A
large project with a number of different components is sometimes referred to as a programme (…) (OECD –
2014)

Programme: can have various meanings, either: (i) a set of projects put together under the overall framework
of a common Overall Objective/Goal; (ii) an ongoing set of initiatives/services that support common objectives
(e.g. a Primary Health Care Programme); or (iii) a Sector Programme, which is defined by the responsible
government’s sector policy (i.e. a Health Sector Programme).

Action: content (or part of the content) of a Commission Financing Decision (administrative and financial
term)

Intervention: refers to all those contracts, independent of type and implementation modality, which can be
grouped together because they contribute to the same result

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 The Intervention Cycle (content)
Overall national policy Step 1
•Relevance (EU and
Choice of priority areas and
Partners’ needs)
indicative sectors •Credibility
•Cross cutting issues
Alignment & harmonization Programming
•Options for implementing
modalities
•Intervention Logic
(ICM analytical tools)

Results achieved, Step 2

comparison with what was • Finalize intervention
planned and analysis of the design
Policy
reasons for possible ‘gaps’ (Intervention logic, further
Closure
dialogue Design analysis, logframe matrix,
Lesson learned & Context details on implementing
analysis arrangements, risk
management plan….)

Follow up performance & identify

corrective action
Monitoring (internal, with possible ad
hoc external review) Implementation
Risk management
The Intervention Cycle (procedure summary)
Follow-up and reporting:
Joint Programming Team CTM (EEAS-INTPA) Unit 01: TEAMS
Europe - MIP RIP TEI Country Team Meetings

Inter Service
Commission approval Programming Approval:
Consultation
SSC – Strategic Steering Committee

Preparation: INTPA lead service +

- CCT/RCT/TCT
- EEAS counterpart

Payment of the balance and Policy

operational closure #Final Strategic Steering C. Fiche (includes outline
payment as per contract Closure
dialogue & Design of actions in the Annual Action Plan (AAP)
Context
analysis Drafting: relevant service HQ / EUD +
- CCT/RCT/TCT
- Partner country

Monitoring internal + possible ad

hoc external review (ROM) Approval: QRM
+ (possible) mid term evaluation

Action document (AD)

Calls for proposals, conclusion of Implementation
contracts and programme
estimates

Financing Decision
Financial execution
 Aid modalities

Aid modality options are selected during See also EU

design phase Learn: training
Budget on Budget
Support Support

BS

All modalities have common features:

INTPA
Companion Ch
• Context analysis 5-
Management
• Risk analysis modes,
• Lessons learned Other delegated
• Policy dialogue
implementing cooperation,
cooperation
• (Support to) Capacity Development
modalities with partners
• and partner
Results
organisations

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 Design phase: a progressive move from
programming to drafting Action Document(s)

• Programming – focus is on Design - the focus is on:

the choice of priority areas
and indicative sectors
informed by:
• Union interests and values
• Partner country priorities
context analyses, risks,
assumptions, lessons learned,
complementarity, cross cutting
issues and outcome(s), IL, LFM
(or indicative list of result
indicators for BS) and
implementing arrangements.

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 The LFA to design interventions
Partner's Strategy/programmes
Analysis of the context
Policy Framework (EU)
Public Policy Analysis
Stakeholder analysis
Problem Analysis,
Priority areas of support
Lessons learned INTERVENTION LOGIC (IL)
What outcomes are sought, for whom and why,
Risks and assumptions what has been done before in this field to build
on, how change might happen, over what period
Complementarity, value
of time, based on what assumptions? (How will
added, synergy and donor
we measure progress and evaluate
coordination
achievements? )

Cross cutting LOGICAL FRAMEWORK MATRIX (LFM)

Rights Based Approach;
issues: a criteria of A tool that can be used for planning an action,
Gender; Environment
effectiveness and and for monitoring and results reporting
and Climate change;
Fragility and Conflict quality, not an add-
Sensitivity, Civil Society on!
support…

LOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROACH

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 The Logical Framework Approach
Challenge:
Is to convert ideas and questions into a realistic, manageable action!

Not a simple, linear, solitary task

Key concepts

LOGICAL • Iterative process

FRAMEWORK
APPROACH • Context sensitivity

• Assumptions

• Reach (who benefits? What do we control?)

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Logical Framework Approach: beyond planning

Implementation
• The IL and LFM should take into account possible changes in the context
• The LFM is an essential reporting tool
• The LFM provides the basis for scheduling activities and resources
• The LFM provides a good summary of the action and therefore facilitates communication among
stakeholders (policy dialogue)
Monitoring
• The LFM will be crucial for the monitoring of results

Evaluation
• The IL and LFM will facilitate evaluation in terms of relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness,
impact and sustainability
• Will allow lessons to be drawn (what went wrong or well? Why? Are there conclusions relevant to other
similar actions? etc…)
 The AD and the LFA
What does the current AD formally request?
• Rationale of the action (context, problem analysis, public policy…)
• The Intervention Logic
• Assumption and risk analysis
• The Logical Framework Matrix (including indicators)
• Mainstreaming political priorities : Rights based approach, Gender,
Environment/CC, Conflict Sensitivity and Resilience, Civil Society
Organisation, Digitalisation….
• ….

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 Key messages
The LFA is the chosen method for the planning and management of EU
external relations interventions. It combines:
• a critical thinking process: the Intervention Logic - IL
• a tool: the Logical Framework Matrix – LFM

• A robust LFA can identify possible pitfalls, help to avoid failures and allow corrective
measures to be taken in a timely manner
• The LFA (IL and LFM) are flexible (not a straight jacket)
• The LFA can be challenging (it deals with the real complex world) but can be very
rewarding.

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