Poverty reduction was an overarching goal of the Finnish development cooperation strategy since 1993 through to the current Development Policy of 2007. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify concrete results and achievements in the Finnish development cooperation, with particular reference to the sustainable development approach. LTS is undertaking a desk study which will be followed by field work in selected countries in order to: investigate the poverty reduction outcomes that have taken place in relation to the application of the sustainability concept at a macro level in Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) partner countries; assess the extent to which MFA interventions since 2000 have made a contribution to these changes through co-operation on forestry and biological resources; draw out lessons from past experiences and thinking, in particular looking for best practice, constraints and innovations; and consequently; and  identify how MFA interventions could be achieving greater impact. The evaluation is guided by the OECD/DAC norms and quality standards for development evaluation; this includes the 5 evaluation criteria: relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact, as well as the additional criteria of coherence and consistency, complementarity, and coordination, compatibility, and the Finnish value-added, as appropriate.