BFRP NORD AND SAHEL REGIONS CLUSTER EVALUATION

The program's main objective is to mitigate the destabilizing effects of violence and insecurity, with a focus on supporting stability in Burkina Faso. Since 2015, the country has faced the growing presence of armed groups and increased security incidents, which significantly deteriorated the social, political, and economic environment. The BFRP program has implemented 180 activities, reached over 394,700 beneficiaries, and partnered with 116 local grantees. The program's four clusters are: Cluster 1, Empower community leaders; Cluster 2, Mitigate livelihood disruption and foster adaptive economic opportunities; Cluster 3, Revitalize traditional community mechanisms; and Cluster 4, Enable critical local service delivery. The clusters were selected for this reflection due to the critical mass of activities that had been completed by November 2020. The reflection employed a qualitative research approach utilizing Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). In total, 76 KIIs and 25 FGDs were conducted. The qualitative research took place between October 15 and November 17, 2020. The data from the qualitative research has shown that activities were successfully implemented to strengthen local leaders' capacities, foster economic opportunities, and improve access to critical local services. The findings indicate that BFRPs progress on mitigating the destabilizing effects of violence and insecurity is undeniable in the localities included in this reflection. Activities were successfully implemented to strengthen local leaders' capacities, foster economic opportunities, and improve access to critical local services. Where clusters overlapped in a geographic setting, outcomes were enhanced across all clusters. As a result of these activities, beneficiaries who were interviewed report better leadership in their communities, increased trust and social cohesion, reduced insecurity and displacement, and, for those who participated in the Income Generating Activities (IGAs), less disruption to their livelihoods. However, though progress has been made in increasing the inclusion of female voices in community decisions, there is still a gap in certain Sahel localities. The program's new refined strategy supports a program goal to support stability in Burkina Faso with a main objective to mitigate the destabilizing effects of violence and insecurity. The four clusters remain in place and have been further defined to help communities survive economically, preserve community institutions, support and empower local leaders, and enable authorities to respond to community needs. The methodology used in this reflection was an outcomes-focused research methodology, which highlighted that security improved during the BFRP activity implementation, as opposed to these activities being implemented in these regions because of improved security. The use of an outcomes-focused research methodology also highlighted that the communes where a critical mass of activities were able to be implemented were also communes that experienced less insecurity. However, the reflection employed a qualitative research approach utilizing Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), which provided valuable insights into the impact of the BFRP program on the target communities. The findings of this reflection have significant implications for the BFRP program and its future direction. The program's focus on supporting stability in Burkina Faso through the mitigation of the destabilizing effects of violence and insecurity is a critical component of the country's development strategy. The program's clusters, which focus on empowering community leaders, mitigating livelihood disruption, revitalizing traditional community mechanisms, and enabling critical local service delivery, are essential to achieving this goal. The findings of this reflection highlight the importance of continued support for the BFRP program and its clusters, and the need for further research and evaluation to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and making a positive impact on the target communities.