Midterm performance evaluation of USAID"s local works activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina : report

USAID/BiH’s Monitoring and Evaluation Support Activity conducted the midterm performance evaluation to review LW’s progress in strengthening and enhancing the capacities of local organizations, enhancing collaboration among LW partners and other actors, increasing philanthropic activity and fundraising, and resolving local issues by supporting locally led initiatives. The midterm performance evaluation also assessed local organizations’ and communities’ current and future priorities for programming. The findings showed that more than one-third of the assisted participants improved their performance. LW Activities improved the cooperation of different actors, especially that of the Local Resource Organization Assistance Activity; however, fewer than the Activities planned. LW set the ground for improving the legal framework for philanthropy and the culture of giving. LW saw the grant mechanism to be successful in resolving minor local issues in targeted communities. Lastly, it was identified that different stakeholders have differing local development priorities, often emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, environmental concerns, unemployment and emigration, and women’s issues. Recommendations include enhancing local organization capacity-building through tiered training and mentorship, improving collaboration among USAID partners, supporting community development and philanthropy, engaging diverse local actors, and addressing unemployment and vulnerable groups’ priorities.