collaboration

Project: JOINT Contribution to Strengthen and Expand Democracy in Mozambique
Evaluation Date: June 2014
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The main partner NGOs in Manica and the grantee designed the project collaboratively. The NGOs in Manica were concerned that their capacity would be stretched by the ambitious expected project outcomes. Their concerns were not reflected in the design, and the final proposal to UNDEF maintained the three-pronged approach of NGO capacity building, government dialogue and legal aid. The capacity building provided to NGOs was essentially on specific rights awareness and governance skills, but was not designed to address NGOs’ structural/operational weaknesses.

Theme: Community activism
Mozambique   , ,
Project: Women in Politics in Mozambique
Evaluation Date: December 2011
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

Project efficiency was undermined by the weak integration of management among the project partner organizations, and the limited organizational and managerial capacities of the provincial implementing agencies. There were also major human resource challenges which were not addressed satisfactorily. For these reasons and others, the deployment of human and financial resources was not always optimal in supporting the achievement of results.

Theme: Women's empowerment
Mozambique   , ,
Project: Women in Politics in Mozambique
Evaluation Date: December 2011
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

It was determined that the two local partners lacked the required substantive and administrative capacities to implement the Project effectively. Consequently, the grantee undertook organizational assessments of its local partners. On the basis of the findings of the assessments, it developed partner development plans to enhance the capabilities of the two provincial-level organizations.

Theme: Women's empowerment
Mozambique   , ,
Project: Towards a better electoral process in Mongolia
Evaluation Date: November 2011
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The grantee was well organized and took efforts to maximize the project resources and extend its reach. For example by developing synergies with other organizations working on the same issues as the project and using its grass roots network of provincial offices to identify participants and to deliver its training nationwide to CSO and political party observers and monitors.

Theme: Community activism
Mongolia   ,
Project: Strengthening Democratic Participation Among Indigenous Peoples of Oaxaca, Mexico
Evaluation Date: May 2014
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The comparative diagnostic study on Federal and State legislation laid the foundations for holding forums for consultation and the promotion of Constitutional Reform, and for drafting an internal document for the grantee. The Constitutional Reform proposal had the backing of indigenous and Afro-Mexican groups, and hence, legitimacy – an unprecedented achievement in the State of Oaxaca. These organizations have specific demands and agendas that while different, are complementary in terms of their level and content. Recognizing the need to consolidate these processes, they wish to continue receiving legal assistance and training to improve their advocacy and forge closer ties other government and civil society stakeholders.

Theme: Community activism
Mexico   , ,
Project: Constructing Citizenship in San Luis de Potosí
Evaluation Date: April 2013
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The CSO network, which was an important mechanism for dialogue and information exchange between public officials and social stakeholders was established but its operative role as a privileged advocate with state entities and decision-makers needs strengthening. For example, individual youth groups that are highly motivated to engage in civic participation were not able to participate in high level meetings with members of States congress. The same holds true for women’s organizations, which, despite the many problems that affect women, have very little organizational presence in the state of San Luis Potosí. Mechanisms for dialogue between public officials and youth are still characterized by very vertical communication and to some extent, an adult-centered culture that is hard to eradicate.

Theme: Rule of law
Mexico   , , ,
Project: Constructing Citizenship in San Luis de Potosí
Evaluation Date: April 2013
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

Before the project CSOs in the region worked in isolation. After the project many realized what can be accomplished if they work together—specifically, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the CSO network. Several of the CSOs interviewed considered the mere fact of getting to know one other and learning “who does what” a very positive development. This has fostered solidarity among them, creating connections and enabling them to learn about each other and share services and skills.

Theme: Rule of law
Mexico   , ,
Project: Civil society advocating for quality education & healthcare in Mexico
Evaluation Date: February 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project’s decentralized nature allowed the three CSO partners to adapt the project to their own local context during implementation. In some aspects, this increased the relevance for the participating CSOs as well their participants. Formalize relationships between subgrantees and their implementers with a written agreement that clearly articulates the roles and responsibilities of each, the project purpose, timelines, targets and performance indicator and reporting requirements even if this is only to be done verbally.

Theme: Tools for knowledge
Mexico   , ,