Yemen monitoring and evaluation project, phase II (YMEP II) : mid-term performance evaluation of the Yemen communities stronger together (YCST) project

This program works to build the capacity of Yemeni communities to identify and address conflict stressors and threats in order to enhance their resilience and lay the foundation for communities to be better prepared for national peace efforts. Six overarching evaluation questions were centered around three primary categories of the program: relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability. The evaluation was completed by three Yemeni researchers who first conducted a desk review of YCST project documents, and then executed key informant interviews and focus group discussions with key YCST stakeholders in Yemen, Jordan, Germany, and Washington DC. Evaluation findings indicate that the YCST program is making a relevant contribution to USAID’s Yemen Programming Approach (YPA): Objective 2, “Enhance Yemen’s ability to manage conflict” and Outcomes 2.1, “Mechanisms that allow citizens to identify and address grievances strengthened,” and 2.2, “Social cohesion of communities strengthened.” A competent local partner, an established methodology deployed by YCST, and the high level of need within the target communities have all contributed to the project’s achievements thus far; however, the ongoing conflict and its security challenges, a shifting regulatory environment, and multiple staffing changes are challenges that have affected implementation of YCST. While progress has been made in the area of relevance, additional measures could be taken to further enhance the program’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability. The report concludes with recommendations to guide YCST going forward.