Lessons learned evaluation : access to justice and information

ATJ and ATI are two distinct projects under one USAID agreement. ATJ has roots back to 2006 in the customary justice sector, and absorbs 90% of the $6.75 million budget; while ATI is an early-stage project which supports implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act (passed in 2010), in partnership with "pilot" public sector institutions led by the Ministry of Information. The study took place between April 22 and May 31, 2013, and included field visits to Grand Bassa, Bong, and Montserrado counties in Liberia; and a meeting with staff of Carter Center headquarters in Atlanta. Sixty-five persons were interviewed individually or in groups, including public officials, traditional leaders, civil society, and TCC officers and field staff delivering paralegal or information services. A common finding to both ATJ and ATI is the high regard and respect held by respondents for the Carter Center for its exceptional personnel, its skill in working in the justice sector, and its talent playing the role of honest broker. This observation applies both to the highest levels of government and to citizens in rural communities. Despite its position in the hierarchy of aid as a service-delivery NGO, TCC is often - at least as regards customary justice - a strategic leader in Liberia's post- conflict recovery and development. In part, this is due to its long history of commitment to Liberia: President Carter visited in 1979, and programs have been ongoing since 1996. Despite sometimes having little money to bring to the table, it has been an able policy advocate which its high reputation helps reinforce. Finally, common to the two projects are the flaws in the Results Frameworks, which do not follow standard USAID terminology, do not always inform as to project results, and are sometimes confusing. (Excerpt, modified)