Support for Elections in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Measuring the acquisition of knowledge is just one component, it is also important to try and measure, or show, how that knowledge is applied in practice.

Impactful training is not just about the quality of the information communicated, but the way it is communicated.

Direct project beneficiaries valued the coordinating role provided by the grantee, who was seen as an independent and impartial arbiter.

Ensuring that an election focused project starts significantly before polling day can make it easier to implement (as there will be less pressure on the time of key election stakeholders) and can allow for pre-election elements, such as primaries and campaigns, to be targeted.

Radio remains a key medium for reaching out to, and engaging with, communities in the state in a cost-effective way.

Adaptive project management and implementation allows for adjustments to be made that enhance the achievement of the overall goal of the project.

Frequent and regular dialogue with key institutional partners ensures that activities, outputs and outcomes of the project are achieved. This can include pre-project, or start of project, collaborative planning sessions.

There is an important distinction between a better understanding of an issue and a change in behaviour as a result. Just because a voter knows that vote buying is illegal, for example, does not mean they will refrain from doing it.

Training-of-trainers approaches are most effective when either the institution has a culture of internal learning, or where additional financial support is provided to support the internal roll-out.