impact

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

A radio programme, based on a Democracy Roundtable, was produced and broadcast in four states. While the topic was relevant to the project, no matter how well-produced, a “one-off” radio broadcast will have done little to support project objectives. Properly planned, with programming produced with local communities on a continuing basis, and with links to community development activities, development broadcasting can be a very effective tool. If radio programming is selected as a core project activity, it must be well-integrated with other activities and be employed throughout the project.

Theme: Community activism
Nigeria   ,
Project: Civil Society Support Initiative on Political Marginalization in the Niger Delta in Nigeria
Evaluation Date: December 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

Some 237 CSO activists were trained in civic and political education, exceeding the target of 180. Similarly, 185 women and young people were trained through the engagement seminars, also exceeding the target of 135. In its own review, the grantee concluded that the sessions on participation and on media engagement were the most successful, in that they provided entirely new and practical knowledge, which trainees could apply readily. There was also a positive response from trainees to the module on democracy monitoring. In a number of cases, those supported by the project were motivated to take further action. Most often, this involved “stepping down” the training to other members of their networks.

Theme: Community activism
Nigeria   , ,
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   , ,
Project: Enhancing Political Participation of Marginalised Women in Nepal
Evaluation Date: September 2010
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

Since top-down government approaches have failed to address social exclusion and effective participation of marginalized women, the project combined a top-down strategy within a bottom-up approach. Planned activities were supported by strong top-down mechanisms and implementing partners were firmly rooted in a bottom-up approach, with the direct participation of the target audience. The adoption of the community organization pyramid, which involved monitoring of all activities by resource persons appointed by beneficiaries, consolidated the networks step by step. Stakeholders were able to collaborate at the local level while remaining connected to Kathmandu.

Theme: Women's empowerment
Nepal   , , ,