Mid-Term Performance Evaluation For The BLCD Project: Evaluation Report

The ultimate objective of the project is to expand the space for civil society activity in meaningful ways. The project is divided into three main components: Component 1, which focuses on strengthening the organizational and technical capacities of key CSOs engaged in national, regional, and community public interest agendas; Component 2, which aims to develop highly professional CSO Resource Center(s) accessible to smaller and less capable CSOs working on public interest agendas; and Component 3, which seeks to improve legal and regulatory 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. For Component 1, the report examines the effectiveness of BLCD Project capacity development interventions with partner CSOs, identifies the most effective interventions in local capacity development, and assesses the sustainability of BLCD Project partner CSOs. For Component 2, the report evaluates the effectiveness of the BLCD Project selection process for CSO resource centers, assesses the likelihood for sustainability of the selected resource centers, and identifies the support needed to increase that likelihood. For Component 3, the report examines the effectiveness of the BLCD Project in raising awareness among key stakeholders on deficiencies in current legislation affecting civil society and identifies potential adjustments for future programming. The evaluation methodology used mixed-methods to analyze BLCD project achievements, lessons learned during implementation efforts, and how best to refine programming for the continuation of the project. The team conducted document reviews, quantitative analysis of relevant indicator data, and 42 semi-structured interviews with project implementers, CSO partners, regional CSO Resource Centers, potential CSO users, and U.S. or international stakeholders. Major findings indicate that BLCD has made good progress towards its objectives and targeted results, despite operating in the headwinds of rapidly closing space for civil society. Most targets for CSO organizational and advocacy capacity development for 2013 and 2014 have been met or exceeded, although there was no evidence that the 2014 data showing increases in advocacy and diversified funding base were due to BLCD interventions. CSOs view BLCD interventions as a package rather than as individual elements, and the project has won acceptance of the OCA tool and approach to capacity development through its professional and open relationships with CSOs. The report concludes that focusing on 'survivability' for the remaining years of BLCD would shift attention to ensuring the short-term survival of CSOs in the current challenging environment, rather than solely focusing on long-term sustainability. The evaluation team recommends that the project continue to support CSOs in developing their capacities, while also addressing the current challenges and constraints faced by the CSO sector.