Skip to main content

community

LESSON

Lesson Learned: Citizen Empowerment for the Promotion of Good Governance and Participatory Democracy in Algeria

States officials, especially local authorities, need capacity building on the concepts, mechanisms, and tools of good local governance to modernise and improve public services and better engage citizens in local development.
Project Name
Citizen Empowerment for the Promotion of Good Governance and Participatory Democracy in Algeria
Project Partner
Association de Solidarité et de Lutte contre la Pauvrete et l'exclusion
Project Description
This pilot project aims to promote good governance and sustainable local development, through democratic participation and dialogue among non-governmental organizations and public authorities in Bordj Boi Arreridj, Algeria. Campaigns will be implemented across four Wiliyah’s on communication, sensitization, training, and animation-consultation with production tools for decision-making support, to enhance citizen participation and action that meets the needs of Algerian civil society.
Report
udf-16-703_alg_final_report_31jan2022.pdf
Evaluation Date
January 2022
Theme
Interaction with government
Country
Algeria
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Citizen Empowerment for the Promotion of Good Governance and Participatory Democracy in Algeria

There is a particular need to involve citizens and CSOs in local development in Algeria. The framework, mechanisms, and tools for this participation are significantly dependent on experimentation, hence the relevance of funded initiatives which prioritise capacity building, experimentation, and learning.
Project Name
Citizen Empowerment for the Promotion of Good Governance and Participatory Democracy in Algeria
Project Partner
Association de Solidarité et de Lutte contre la Pauvrete et l'exclusion
Project Description
This pilot project aims to promote good governance and sustainable local development, through democratic participation and dialogue among non-governmental organizations and public authorities in Bordj Boi Arreridj, Algeria. Campaigns will be implemented across four Wiliyah’s on communication, sensitization, training, and animation-consultation with production tools for decision-making support, to enhance citizen participation and action that meets the needs of Algerian civil society.
Report
udf-16-703_alg_final_report_31jan2022.pdf
Evaluation Date
January 2022
Theme
Interaction with government
Country
Algeria
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Enabling Women to Participate in Sustainable Water Management in Armenia

In transitioning societies with the control and accountability mechanisms under development having tangible assets delivered, strategic position-holders interested, and locally recognized agents of change with multiplication potential involved are important to ensure the target population’s immediate interest, as well as the longer-term sense of ownership to be developed and the sustainability of the project to be achieved. Whenever possible, adding the beneficiary financial contribution element, such as community funds, can help in enhancing the sense of ownership and accountability for public expenditures and improving processes for public consultation in development planning.
Project Name
Enabling Women to Participate in Sustainable Water Management in Armenia
Project Partner
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO
Project Description
The project aims to contribute to strategies regarding the sustainable management of natural water resources in the Ararat Valley through enhancement of women’s groups that supply oversight and equity in community water and sanitation resources. Three groups will be interlinked in their actions to facilitate discussion on tariff compensation; monitor the participation of oversight activities on irrigation; and implement four pilot projects at the community level. Pilot projects will identify community-based participatory approaches to decision-making involving women to improve access and management of water resources.
Report
udf-17-775-arm_undef_evaluation_report_final.pdf
Evaluation Date
November 2021
Theme
Women's empowerment
Interaction with government
Country
Armenia
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Support for Elections in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Radio remains a key medium for reaching out to, and engaging with, communities in the state in a cost-effective way.
Project Name
Support for Elections in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Project Partner
Stakeholder Democracy Network
Project Description
Elections in Nigeria, and especially in its oil-producing Niger Delta states, have in the past been disputed and given rise to violence. One of these states, Bayelsa, is due to choose a new governor in 2020 in what is expected to be a hotly contested election. The project seeks to minimize the risk of dispute and help to ensure the election is free, fair, and credible. It will support the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission to train staff engaged to oversee polling in at-risk areas in the procedures necessary to do so effectively. It will support the creation of a database to register party political agents in three areas, reducing the risk of unidentifiable persons engaging in illegal political activity. Activities will also include voter education across the target areas, aiming to reach 1,350 citizens in workshops and 170,000 via a public campaign, seeking to inform citizens on how to prevent votes from being stolen or manipulated.
Report
udf-17-748-nir-evaluation_report.pdf
Evaluation Date
August 2021
Theme
Electoral Processes
Country
Nigeria
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Strengthening CSO Engagement with Defence Institutions to Reduce Corruption and Strengthen Accountability in Mali

In a crowded donor environment with multiple civil society actors, and a highly volatile and dynamic political and security context, the project demonstrated the need to maintain good links with key actors in the International Community as well as national government stakeholders. This requires an investment in time and resources. To ensure longer-term durability and sustainability of projects, considerations for mobilising and engaging with the international community should be an integral part of Civil Society Organisation planning and strategy.
Project Name
Strengthening CSO Engagement with Defence Institutions to Reduce Corruption and Strengthen Accountability in Mali
Project Partner
Transparency International UK
Project Description
The project was implemented by Transparency International – Defense and Security (as Implementing Agency) and the Cercle de Réflexion et d’Information pour la Consolidation de la Démocratie au Mali (CRI-2002, as Implementing Partner), from April 2018 to December 2019. The project benefited from a UNDEF grant of USD 187,000 and sought to reduce the risk of corruption in the Malian defense and security sector. It included a mix of capacity-building, advocacy and research work in order to build civil society’s ability to advocate for accountability and transparency in the defense sector, and to open a space for them to do so. Strengthening links between civil society and defense institutions and the democratic bodies charged with oversight of defense was an integral part of the approach.
Evaluation Date
February 2021
Theme
Interaction with government
Country
Mali
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advocating for Community Radio in Zimbabwe

During field visits, it was clear that the role of Community Radio Initiatives as bearers of local languages, identities, and cultures is crucial for the growth and recognition of Community Radio Initiatives. Branding can help improve their visibility. With little visible branding, community buy-in might not be as high as that which could be possible.
Project Name
Advocating for Community Radio in Zimbabwe
Project Partner
Amnesty International Zimbabwe
Project Description
The project will advocate for licensing community radio institutions in Zimbabwe. This will be achieved by means of: (a) coordinated civil society stakeholders and citizens advocacy and petitioning the Government and its related institutions through a united and strong effort; (b) policy and regulatory review and reform of community broadcasting and the process required for licensing; and (c) developing the capacity of 10 target community radio institutions (CRIs) for licensing.
Report
zimbabwe-udf-16-702-zim_evaluation_report_0.pdf
Evaluation Date
December 2020
Theme
Media
Country
Zimbabwe
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advocating for Community Radio in Zimbabwe

Human rights education remains a pertinent area for intervention in Zimbabwe, and community radio is a critical tool for pursuing this noble cause. The Zimbabwean government takes advantage of limited rights knowledge among marginalized communities for political expedience.
Project Name
Advocating for Community Radio in Zimbabwe
Project Partner
Amnesty International Zimbabwe
Project Description
The project will advocate for licensing community radio institutions in Zimbabwe. This will be achieved by means of: (a) coordinated civil society stakeholders and citizens advocacy and petitioning the Government and its related institutions through a united and strong effort; (b) policy and regulatory review and reform of community broadcasting and the process required for licensing; and (c) developing the capacity of 10 target community radio institutions (CRIs) for licensing.
Report
zimbabwe-udf-16-702-zim_evaluation_report_0.pdf
Evaluation Date
December 2020
Theme
Media
Country
Zimbabwe
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Using Access to Information to Foster Open Expenditure and Budget Transparency in Liberia


Community-based radio is a key tool for raising community level awareness and promoting citizen engagement in debates around issues of corruption due to high levels of local listenership. Organizations should take care to conduct community radio programs in local languages in order to ensure maximum engagement with the local community.


Project Name
Using Access to Information to Foster Open Expenditure and Budget Transparency in Liberia
Project Partner
Liberia Media Center
Project Description
This project seeks to enhance the fight against corruption in Liberia, by fostering accountability and fiscal transparency in the public sector. It will also foster increased public advocacy in favour of anti-corruption actions and expenditure transparency. Public understanding and input in transparency and anti-corruption efforts will be buttressed by increased media coverage of these issues. Trained journalists in transparency and anti-corruption reporting, will investigate on development projects, and a team of anticorruption champions based in community radio stations, will be activated to advocate for redress, monitor and increased public awareness in the fight against corruption.
Report
Liberia-UDF-14-591-LIR-Evaluation-Report.pdf
Evaluation Date
December 2018
Theme
Rule of law
Country
Liberia
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Fostering Ethical Democracy and Advancing Micro Justice in India


Awareness of existing power dynamics with communities is important for effective implementation. When organizing community-based activities in which elected representatives and officials are present, one must be aware of existing power imbalances and mitigate these imbalances by facilitating activities in a way that doesn't reinforce existing power structures.


Project Name
Fostering Ethical Democracy and Advancing Micro Justice in India
Project Partner
DHAN Foundation
Project Description
This project aims to improve the provision of local democratic services to women, youth and students in disadvantaged communities in 5 regions. It will facilitate capacity development and create an enabling environment for Women Self Help Groups, youth associations and student groups to support their own "democracy action" initiatives. The project also seeks to initiate intensive campaigns on the Right to Information Act, in developing informed citizens. Additionally, the project will develop micro justice initiatives to address problems of infringement of rights; establishing para-legal clinics to facilitate the insurance of citizen rights and entitlements for development.
Report
India-UDF-13-560-IND-Evaluation-Report.pdf
Evaluation Date
September 2018
Theme
Rule of law
Country
India
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Enhancing Women's Land Ownership Rights in Eastern Sierra Leone


In Sierra Leone, chieftaincy authorities are key powerbrokers in local communities. When initiatives work to build the capacity of women and girls, these initiatives are made most effective when they also work to change the attitudes of men and in particular, of traditional authorities. In addition, 'chieftaincy by-laws' are the most applied legal framework in rural communities, regardless of what national laws may say.


Project Name
Enhancing Women's Land Ownership Rights in Eastern Sierra Leone
Project Partner
Humanist Watch Salone
Project Description
This community-driven project is aimed at supporting an informed public debate and advocacy on women land ownership rights in the Districts of Kailahun, Kenema and Kono in Eastern Sierra Leone. The project will focus on research, public awareness-raising, building knowledge of communities on human rights and the Devolution of Estates legal framework, thus creating a forum for communities to critically analyze the need to enhance gender fairness and social justice, in the existing land tenure system.
Report
Sierra-Leone-UDF-14-595-SIL-Evaluation-Report.pdf
Evaluation Date
July 2018
Theme
Women's empowerment
Country
Sierra Leone