Mid-term performance evaluation for the BLCD project : evaluation report

The mid-term performance evaluation of the BLCD project determines the results of BLCD interventions as of Sept. 30, 2014; evaluates the progress made under each component based on established targets; and provides recommendations for adjustments and considerations for implementation of the rest of the project. The evaluation especially focuses on interventions and approaches that have proven to be feasible and sustainable in the toughening political context, and identify ones that provide a sound foundation for future prgramming. This project consisted of three main components: (1) to strengthen the organizational and technical capacities of key CSOs engaged in national, regional and community public interest agendas; (2) to develop highly professional CSO resource center(s), accessible to smaller and less capable CSOs working on public interest agendas; and, (3) to improve legal and regulatory environment frameworks to safeguard CSO enabling environments, sustainability and independent public interest agenda roles. The evaluation report addresses the following questions about each of the three main project components: (1) how effective are BLCD project capacity development interventions with partner CSOs; (2) which interventions in local capacity development are most effective and why; (3) how far along the road to sustainability are BLCD project partner CSOs and in what areas do they need most of the support; (4) how effective was BLCD project selection process for CSO resource centers; (5) what is the likelihood for sustainability of the selected resource centers and what support do they need to increase that likelihood; (6) how effective was BLCD project in raising awareness among key stakeholders on deficiencies in current legislation affecting civil society; and, (7) considering the changing political conditions, is there something the BLCD project could do differently in the future to achieve additional results under this component? Specific evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are provided with detailed analysis for each evaluation question. (Excerpt, modified)