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Project: Best Practices for Women´s Participation in Democracy at Local Levels (Argentina)
Evaluation Date: April 2012
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The grantee’s institutional track record and deep roots in society make it a credible intermediary point of reference for other organizations working on the issues of gender equity and women’s rights – an important component in terms of sustainability. Its diverse relations with international cooperation agencies have served to consolidate its financial sustainability. At the technical and institutional levels, the project yielded results that will support the continuity and replication of its initiatives.

Theme: Women's empowerment

Argentina credibility, partnerships, sustainability

Project: Renforcement des capacités de formation en leadership pour renforcer la participation des femmes dans la vie publique (Algérie)
Evaluation Date: November 2013
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

One of the expected mechanisms of sustainability foreseen – the training of trainers – did not take place. The concrete outputs – a video documentary and a “study” based on an opinion poll – are not of sufficient quality to be usable in Algeria. Although some of the women who participated came together in an informal “network”, experience suggests that the sustainability of such a network will depend entirely on the efforts of those involved in it and/or of a strategic approach to its maintenance by the grantee.

Theme: Women's empowerment

Algeria network, sustainability, training, video

Project: Enhancing Political Participation of Marginalised Women in Nepal
Evaluation Date: September 2010
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The sustainability of these networks was already jeopardized by the lack of financial and organizational resources locally. The pyramidal organization designed by the project is fragile. However, numerous beneficiaries declared that the project created networks that will enable them to continue to share ideas and undertake initiatives, even if funding does not continue. Thus, the sustainability may be based more on human capital and relationships than on questions of funding.

Theme: Women's empowerment

Nepal impact, relationships, sustainability

Project: Strengthening Civil Society Across Borders to Develop Democracy
Evaluation Date: August 2011
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The sustainability of the local NGOs was not assured. It is recommended that the local NGOs which participated in the project develop long-term relationships with local authorities; for example, permanent consultative status in an issue area or a multi-year arrangement to provide services. This will enhance financial sustainability in the most convincing way and help to avoid the trap of being dependent on recurrent one-time projects.

Theme: Tools for knowledge

Moldova, Republic of, Ukraine funding, sustainability

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 funding, sustainability

Project: Strengthening Democratic Participation and Inclusive Local Development in Indigenous and Peasant Communities in Bolivia
Evaluation Date: August 2017
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

Sustainability is the Achilles’ heel of democracy projects. To ensure the continuation of services beyond the end of project funding, projects need to plan for sustainability from the start, as design and implementation will require: creative partnerships with civil society and State organizations; careful analysis of the level of demand and willingness to pay; the creation of a cadre of competent professionals able to provide continuous service; and empowerment of community members to provide orientation or counsel, as feasible.

Theme: Rule of law

Bolivia partnerships, sustainability

Project: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia
Evaluation Date: January 2018
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

A CSO’s search for sustainability is never-ending. Every new project should include the “seeds” – innovative strategies – of future sustainability. Additionally, since securing funds from a specific international donor can take months or years, CSOs should continue fundraising and cultivating donors even in relatively “flush” times.

Theme: Community activism

Georgia funding, innovation, sustainability

Project: Fostering Ethical Democracy and Advancing Micro Justice in India
Evaluation Date: September 2018
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

This project provides a good model of planning for project sustainability. The grantee planned for sustainability in every component of the project, leaving nothing to change. This particular grantee’s experience suggests that projects that deliver tangible benefits to communities may be sustained by those communities themselves.

Theme: Rule of law

India planning, sustainability

Project: Leadership for accountable governance in Southern Africa
Evaluation Date: February 2011
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

There seems to be a lack of clarity and vision for the future of the network and of strategies for achieving sustainability, specifically as an independent African initiative. Although there are documents outlining the vision and conceptual basis of the initiative, there appear to be no concrete strategies for ensuring its future.

Theme: Community activism

Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, United Republic of, Zambia, Zimbabwe sustainability

Project: Representation and political participation of five urban indigenous populations in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Evaluation Date: June 2014
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The project had important sustainability components. The grantee’s track record and competence in fighting for respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, especially in urban environments, have given it credibility in the eyes of its public and private stakeholders.

Theme: Community activism

Bolivia credibility, sustainability, urban

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