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Project: Empowerment of Women Citizens in Turkey
Evaluation Date: February 2012
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

Eighty per cent of the trainees completed the Training of Trainers course and were certified as trainers, but it must be noted that the only requirement for certification was the completion of the course. In other words, there was little quality control either at entry, or on completion of the course.

Theme: Women's empowerment

Turkey baseline, survey, training

Project: Empowering the Voice of a New Generation in Pakistan
Evaluation Date: August 2014
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The usefulness of the baseline study that was used to select the CBO partners in 20 locations in Pakistan, was uncertain as it assessed CBOs and their attributes rather than their qualifications. Some of the CBOs seemed extremely competent, but others might not have been the most appropriate choices. For instance, at least two did not appear to have offices where the Voice of a New Generation groups were expected to meet and the Information Resource Centres to be housed.

Theme: Youth engagement

Pakistan baseline, needs, youth

Project: Developing alternative models of natural resource governance based on indigenous community participation in Aceh
Evaluation Date: July 2016
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The inclusion of baseline data was a good idea, but the survey carried out by the grantee used unrealistic indicators which made it difficult to measure changes and impact. The baseline data did not clearly identify the nature of the Mukims’ weaknesses in dealing with the community, village and local government which resulted in inappropriate activities and ultimately in inadequate appreciation of results.

Theme: Community activism

Indonesia baseline, data, risk

Project: Promoting democratic and human rights values among Rwandan youth
Evaluation Date: February 2014
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

A baseline survey was conducted at the start of the project. It showed respondent’s level of agreement with a number of statements about human rights and democracy in Rwanda, but not their level of knowledge. The project would have benefited from a more qualitative approach in which respondents could explain the rationale for their views.

Theme: Youth engagement

Rwanda baseline, survey

Project: Promoting Good Governance among Tribal Inhabitants in Bangladesh (PROGGATI)
Evaluation Date: December 2013
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The project met its outputs however the extent of its impact is unclear. It did undertake a baseline in Year 1 that provided some descriptive but useful information on the targeted communities. However, this baseline was not repeated so there is no end-of-project data that it could be compared to.

Theme: Community activism

Bangladesh baseline, impact, survey

Project: Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Jamaica
Evaluation Date: September 2011
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The degree to which the project met its anticipated outcome of increased national awareness and action in support of the participation of women was hard to determine. The project did reach women beyond the project participants but, without baseline or post-project information, the extent of this reach was an unknown. Anecdotal information suggests there was some effect, most notable in the National Educational Council volunteers. But the cultural and social attitudes that prevent gender parity are deeply entrenched and it will take more than time and/or the quotas recommended by the grantee to achieve true gender equity.

Theme: Women's empowerment

Jamaica baseline, data, impact

Project: Civil Society Support Initiative on Political Marginalization in the Niger Delta in Nigeria
Evaluation Date: December 2012
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The baseline study was well conducted and contributed to the project’s effectiveness as a training tool. It also provided needs assessment data concerning the beneficiary groups, representing marginalized communities. The data derived from the study was used to determine the issues to be addressed during the project. It also assisted in the selection of the CSOs and beneficiary groups with which the project would engage.

Theme: Community activism

Nigeria baseline, beneficiaries, design

Project: Governance and Transparency through Radio in Southern Africa
Evaluation Date: October 2011
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

An example of poor integration across the project components concerns was the baseline research undertaken in the four participating countries. This baseline report did not inform the planning and needs assessment work done at the project sites.

Theme: Community activism

Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia baseline, planning

Project: Cultivating Democratic Leaders from Marginalized Groups in Thailand
Evaluation Date: December 2010
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

The one potentially new element of the project – the participant survey – did not underpin the activities of the project participants; the issues actually addressed were those that have been the focus of actions in this region for some time and which are the focus of other local projects. Trainees were already engaged in development work in their communities and, once the project ended, continued as before. The project designers would have been more aware of this if they had reviewed existing and earlier practice in this area, and had considered in more depth the way NGOs in the regions work and their funding sources.

Theme: Youth engagement

Thailand baseline, duplication, research

Project: Cultivating Democratic Leaders from Marginalized Groups in Thailand
Evaluation Date: December 2010
Report: [report link]

Lesson Learned:

Before beginning on project design, ensure that issues that need to be addressed have been mapped comprehensively and a stocktaking of previous and ongoing projects or programmes with the same or similar focus. Carry out a stakeholder analysis of potential partners’ capacity and financial viability. Does an organization have a secure funding base or does it stumble from project to project seeking funds to stay afloat? If there are resourcing problems in a given area, or any group of NGOs, do not add to these by bringing in short-term funds without addressing the longer-term problem.

Theme: Youth engagement

Thailand baseline, design, local knowledge, partnership

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