Arab States

Project: Media and art as catalysts for free speech and access to information in Jordan
Evaluation Date: January 2015
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

There were concerns about the sustainability of the project’s outcomes as well as the sustainability of the grantee itself. The grantee’s institutional funding model is project-focused and no serious consideration seems to have been given to diversifying funding sources or raising income in other ways. Without project funding, there are many ‘down times’ that lead the volunteers becoming disillusioned and websites become dated.

Theme: Media
Jordan   ,
Project: Media and art as catalysts for free speech and access to information in Jordan
Evaluation Date: January 2015
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project had no impact in terms of advocating for freedom of speech and press freedom because the focus of the project shifted to other areas of activity such as the observatory website. Further, the design of the project did not sufficiently take into account that the obstacles to free speech and freedom of expression are also systemic and intricately linked to reactions to the political and social challenges currently facing the country in particular the influx of refugees as a result of conflicts in the region.

UNDEF/Jordan
Theme: Media
Jordan   , ,
Project: Media and art as catalysts for free speech and access to information in Jordan
Evaluation Date: January 2015
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project had a positive impact on the artists involved and to a lesser extent the journalist trainees. The Freedom Messenger artists interviewed saw the project as opening a door to new audiences and new ideas for their work. However this was limited by the funds made available to them. The journalists interviewed were similarly enthusiastic and saw positive benefits from their participation in the training and in the Freedom Messengers Network.

UNDEF/Jordan
Theme: Media
Jordan   , ,
Project: Citizenship is my Right
Evaluation Date: January 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

One of the project’s objectives was to combat the exodus from rural areas and the lack of employment opportunities for young village people. This problem remains. Concerted action with other actors from civil society politics could raise awareness among actors at the State level to address this problem.

Theme: Youth engagement
Lebanon   , ,
Project: Citizenship is my Right
Evaluation Date: January 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The Municipal Youth Councils are venues where young people can open a dialogue and strengthen their civic participation in institutions. The creation of these councils has not only made it possible to organize group activities for young people and heighten their visibility, but to ensure the accountability of youth council leaders. The participating youth were convinced, engaged, and well-organized; they have established concrete plans of action and in several cases managed to obtain financial support from the municipality.

Theme: Youth engagement
Lebanon   ,
Project: Citizenship is my Right
Evaluation Date: January 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project created opportunities for young people from different groups to get to know each other through cultural and sporting events suggested by the young people themselves. These experiences have helped them appreciate the concepts of integration and acceptance of others and enabled them to understand the importance and benefits of engaging with each other, deliberating and working together, forging friendly ties between neighbouring villages, and breaking social, religious, and community taboos.

Theme: Youth engagement
Lebanon   ,
Project: Citizenship is my Right
Evaluation Date: January 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The sensitization and education of staff in municipal authorities and parents raised awareness among adults about the rights-based approach and led to a greater appreciation of the importance of supporting the participation of young people in democratic life.

Theme: Youth engagement
Lebanon   ,
Project: Citizenship is my Right
Evaluation Date: January 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project fostered group learning processes that built trust and promoted respect for diversity. This effort has resulted in the training of a substantial number of young leaders who are actively participating in the Municipal Youth Councils and who are involved in concrete employment and social projects that address the needs of their villages.

Theme: Youth engagement
Lebanon   , ,
Project: Strengthening Somali Media Capacity for Democracy and Human Rights
Evaluation Date: October 2011
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

Additional guidance from a partner organization would probably have helped the grantee make better use of its members’ energy and commitment to engage in advocacy on matters of rights and policy. The project would have benefited from strategic advice. The grantee lacked project management capacity, time and inclination to consider “big picture” policy and strategic issues. The grantee to some extent anticipated its own weakness by suggesting in the project document that an Advisory Committee including UN representatives would be appointed to help it implement the project. Regrettably, the committee did not get established, partly because grantee did not follow up on the idea.

Theme: Media
Somalia   , ,