Project: Empowering Civil Society Inclusion on Democratic Policy-Making in Kosovo
Evaluation Date: October 2012
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project was implemented at the right time when the government of Kosovo was in the process of updating and consolidating its national framework for democratic governance. The grantee seized this opportunity and the partnership it developed with the key officials who were driving this process and with the group of CSOs in the Advisory Group gave the reform effort structure and momentum through its regular meetings, topical workshops, training and information sharing.

Theme: Community activism
Project: Promoting political participation of marginalized populations in Ecuador
Evaluation Date: October 2011
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

The project helped to strengthen the democratisation process among indigenous and Afro-descendant groups in Ecuador. This was in keeping with the partner organisations’ strategic options and institutional path, and was not limited to this specific intervention. The project’s support has proven very significant for the grantee’s partners in terms of the implementation of their strategies and the strengthening of the capacities of their managers.

Theme: Youth engagement
Project: Strengthening Local NGOs in Areas Where Extractive Industries Operate
Evaluation Date: June 2013
Report: [report link]
Lesson Learned:

When the project ended there was no formal partnership among the stakeholders involved. Most of the microprojects had ended and the participating organizations considered themselves beneficiaries of corporate social responsibility funds rather than as pro-active partners. The project reinforced current corporate practices in which civil society empowerment is regarded simply as making donations to NGOs. Better information about the costs and benefits of corporate social responsibility implementation and an inventory of industry practices could help to identify NGO capacity constraints and priority needs, tailoring different partnership models to the situation in each district.

Theme: Community activism