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Lessons

LESSON

Lesson Learned: For a More Vigilant Civil Society in Morocco

Participation of civil society actors and of local government representatives in the capacity-building sessions exceeded the targets set however, the project failed to really mobilize women. Take into account that women face many obstacles to participate in political life, at the most basic level, they have limited access to transport.
Project Partner
Association Mouvement Alternatives citoyenne
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen democratic processes and the rule of law, through the progressive incorporation of grass-roots organizations and marginalized sections of the Moroccan society in elaborating and monitoring public policy. The project strategy was structured around capacity building of civil society organizations to participate in democratic mechanisms, and support to marginalized groups, in particular women and youth, to foster their inclusion as protagonists in the management of public affairs. In the context of the Morocco’s democratic transition, the project’s efforts to promote the new Constitution was very useful, as most civil society organizations were unacquainted with concepts and mechanisms of participatory democracy, as well as with the new prerogatives as set in the country’s 2011 Constitution.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Theme
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: For a More Vigilant Civil Society in Morocco

The capability of the CSOs to dialogue and to make themselves heard by political and legislative decision-makers remained limited, in particular at parliament level. Advocacy and lobbying activities among members of parliament supported by audio-visual tools, infographic sheets and properly written and formatted press releases could ensure better visibility and awareness.
Project Partner
Association Mouvement Alternatives citoyenne
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen democratic processes and the rule of law, through the progressive incorporation of grass-roots organizations and marginalized sections of the Moroccan society in elaborating and monitoring public policy. The project strategy was structured around capacity building of civil society organizations to participate in democratic mechanisms, and support to marginalized groups, in particular women and youth, to foster their inclusion as protagonists in the management of public affairs. In the context of the Morocco’s democratic transition, the project’s efforts to promote the new Constitution was very useful, as most civil society organizations were unacquainted with concepts and mechanisms of participatory democracy, as well as with the new prerogatives as set in the country’s 2011 Constitution.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Theme
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: For a More Vigilant Civil Society in Morocco

The grantee in Morocco was very efficient in the operational follow-up of the project. Each external collaborator was expected to prepare a final report. Unfortunately, the quality of the reports showed serious discrepancies due to the lack of a standard template. This also limited the comparability of the results and the potential to further improve training and seminar quality.
Project Partner
Association Mouvement Alternatives citoyenne
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen democratic processes and the rule of law, through the progressive incorporation of grass-roots organizations and marginalized sections of the Moroccan society in elaborating and monitoring public policy. The project strategy was structured around capacity building of civil society organizations to participate in democratic mechanisms, and support to marginalized groups, in particular women and youth, to foster their inclusion as protagonists in the management of public affairs. In the context of the Morocco’s democratic transition, the project’s efforts to promote the new Constitution was very useful, as most civil society organizations were unacquainted with concepts and mechanisms of participatory democracy, as well as with the new prerogatives as set in the country’s 2011 Constitution.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Theme
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: For a More Vigilant Civil Society in Morocco

Disparities among the participants regarding their basic knowledge on key-topics hindered the satisfactory implementation of some training sessions. Organizing trainees into more homogeneous groups by distinguishing different levels of training - basic, advanced - in topics such as national development and sectorial, as well as public finances and local governance could address the issue.
Project Partner
Association Mouvement Alternatives citoyenne
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen democratic processes and the rule of law, through the progressive incorporation of grass-roots organizations and marginalized sections of the Moroccan society in elaborating and monitoring public policy. The project strategy was structured around capacity building of civil society organizations to participate in democratic mechanisms, and support to marginalized groups, in particular women and youth, to foster their inclusion as protagonists in the management of public affairs. In the context of the Morocco’s democratic transition, the project’s efforts to promote the new Constitution was very useful, as most civil society organizations were unacquainted with concepts and mechanisms of participatory democracy, as well as with the new prerogatives as set in the country’s 2011 Constitution.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Theme
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

The project lacked a sufficient analysis of the challenges to coordination among civil society and of CSOs’ views about the role of platforms nor did it include provisions to follow up the training with support for platforms, coaching for managers or encouragement of joint advocacy activities
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

While participants from civil society organizations and platforms welcomed training provided by the grantee to improve CSO management and coordination they were not necessarily ready to implement the new skills acquired if it required additional resources. For the same reasons, the enhancement of platform and CSO leaders’ management skills did not necessarily result in additional advocacy activities. The project’s relevance could have been enhanced, by providing incentives for platforms to develop joint advocacy or campaigns.
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

Some of the training participants experienced a change in attitude leading to greater understanding of the importance of strategic thinking, institutional development and joint work among CSOs. Other CSO participants revealed that the CSO profile report that was issued by the project as one of the first outputs opened their eyes about how currently ineffective NGO platforms were and the extensive need for dedicated work to reinforce civil society coordination structures.
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Water and sanitation for all: for a strong and heard civil society in West Africa

Several platform representatives noted that the UNDEF project led to enhancing their professional skills across the region. The capacity building also helped enhance platforms’ resilience and technical capacity and also their capacity to attract the attention of other development actors, including future donors. Enhanced technical capabilities generate research and strategy development capacity, which should be directed towards the elaboration of future projects in order to reinforce sustainability and credibility vis-à-vis government authorities and potential donors.
Project Partner
Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales
Project Description
The general objective of the project was to reinforce the voice and influence of civil society in West and Central Africa to improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH). While the project addressed clearly defined needs for reinforcing capacity of WASH platforms and the platforms’ presence in consultation processes, its design did not sufficiently emphasize the needs for organizational capacity building, gender concerns in the consultation processes, and exchanges of information among participating platforms on issues of lobbying strategy. Achievements were adequate, especially in view of the vast geographical area covered by the project and the fact that the budgets devolved to each country were relatively limited. In terms of direct impact the project contributed to making attitudes within civil society organizations evolve towards a greater understanding of WASH access as a human right.
Evaluation Date
April 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Water and sanitation for all: for a strong and heard civil society in West Africa

The project achieved genuine added value, despite the risks inherent to activities thinly spread across eight countries. Project management was good, the grantee’s management team was committed and effective, as demonstrated by the level of satisfaction with management expressed by participating platforms’ representatives.
Project Partner
Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales
Project Description
The general objective of the project was to reinforce the voice and influence of civil society in West and Central Africa to improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH). While the project addressed clearly defined needs for reinforcing capacity of WASH platforms and the platforms’ presence in consultation processes, its design did not sufficiently emphasize the needs for organizational capacity building, gender concerns in the consultation processes, and exchanges of information among participating platforms on issues of lobbying strategy. Achievements were adequate, especially in view of the vast geographical area covered by the project and the fact that the budgets devolved to each country were relatively limited. In terms of direct impact the project contributed to making attitudes within civil society organizations evolve towards a greater understanding of WASH access as a human right.
Evaluation Date
April 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Water and sanitation for all: for a strong and heard civil society in West Africa

Project achievements were positive; especially in view of the vast geographical area covered by the project and the fact that the budgets devolved to each country were relatively limited Some of the implementing partners took innovative approaches as they knew their efforts could not be compensated financially.
Project Partner
Secrétariat Permanent des Organisations Non Gouvernementales
Project Description
The general objective of the project was to reinforce the voice and influence of civil society in West and Central Africa to improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH). While the project addressed clearly defined needs for reinforcing capacity of WASH platforms and the platforms’ presence in consultation processes, its design did not sufficiently emphasize the needs for organizational capacity building, gender concerns in the consultation processes, and exchanges of information among participating platforms on issues of lobbying strategy. Achievements were adequate, especially in view of the vast geographical area covered by the project and the fact that the budgets devolved to each country were relatively limited. In terms of direct impact the project contributed to making attitudes within civil society organizations evolve towards a greater understanding of WASH access as a human right.
Evaluation Date
April 2016
Country