PEACE Program Evaluations – Final Baseline Report

The report was prepared by Democracy International, Inc. under Contract No. AID-OAA-I-13-00044. The evaluation team consisted of Jennifer Kuiper, Team Leader, Mark M. Rogers, Senior Conflict Specialist, and Hippolyt Pul, PhD, Conflict Specialist. The report focuses on the implementation of projects in South Thailand and the Central African Republic, with a specific emphasis on the role of religious actors in peacebuilding. The evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness of these projects in addressing conflict and promoting peace in the respective regions. The baseline methodology involved a comprehensive assessment of the projects' implementation, including the roles of religious actors, expected opportunities and challenges, and the relevancy of religious dimensions to project implementation. The evaluation also examined the effectiveness of religious actors in peacebuilding, the efficacy of religious messaging, and the sustainability of project results. The report highlights the importance of considering religious dynamics in project implementation, particularly in regions where parties are mobilized around religious identities. The evaluation found that religious actors played a crucial role in promoting peace and reconciliation in both South Thailand and the Central African Republic. In South Thailand, the evaluation noted that the HOPE Yala project had successfully engaged youth in peacebuilding efforts, with a significant increase in positive attitudes towards peace and reconciliation. The project's use of interfaith dialogue and community-based initiatives was seen as a key factor in promoting peace and reducing conflict. In the Central African Republic, the evaluation highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services. The evaluation recommended that future projects focus on building the capacity of local communities to address these underlying issues and promote sustainable peace. The report also emphasized the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between religious groups and the role of religious actors in peacebuilding. The evaluation recommended that future projects take a more holistic approach to addressing conflict, one that considers the social, economic, and cultural context of the region. The evaluation team provided a number of recommendations for the endline analysis, including the need for a more comprehensive assessment of project outcomes and the development of a theory of change that takes into account the complex relationships between religious groups. Overall, the PEACE Program Evaluations – Final Baseline Report provides a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of projects in South Thailand and the Central African Republic, highlighting the importance of considering religious dynamics in project implementation and promoting sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions.