Nepal: Community Development Project in Myagdi - Final Evaluation

Background

Nepal Red Cross Society has been implementing the Community Development Project (CDP) since 1983 as an integrated project to improve the quality of life for rural people. The focus of the project has been on improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the community.
The CDP consists of two major components:
1. the community development component focuses mainly on non-formal education, community health and sanitation, safe drinking water and self-help groups for women.
2. The institutional development component focuses on capacity building of Red Cross district chapter, sub-chapter and grass root organizations.

Purpose/objective

The aim of the evaluation was is to:
Determine the effectiveness, impact, sustainability and relevance of the project in accordance with the Nepal Red Cross Society's guideline and strategy.
To make an assessment of the project's achievements in terms of capacity building at local communities, reduction of vulnerability among target groups, effectiveness (including Cost-effectiveness) and sustainability.
To make an assessment of capacity building of Nepal Red Cross at the district chapter and sub chapter level.

Methodology

The evaluation was carried out largely on the basis of primary data and information supplemented by relevant secondary source data. The primary data and information were collected by carrying out field survey and the secondary source data and information gathered from project documents, baseline reports and other documents.

The evaluation of the project was made in terms of project performance, impact on social and economic life of the target people and contribution to the institutional development of NRCS District Chapter and Sub-chapter.

Key findings

Project performance was very high, as indicated by target-achievement status in terms of number of program activities performed and the persons benefited by these activities. For the non-formal education program, the achievement is 96 percent of target activities and 82.1 of target beneficiaries. With regard to health and sanitation, the achievement exceeds the targeted number of program activities, benefiting 93.6 percent of total targeted beneficiaries.

Under the drinking water scheme, a 100 percent target is achieved in both performing the program activities and benefiting the people. A 100 percent achievement is recorded in the formation of self-help groups and training of the group members, but with the actual number of beneficiaries exceeding the target. A similar performance is seen in the institutional development component, exceeding the target activities by 6.5 percent and target beneficiaries by 42.6 percent.

The pattern of project expenditure conforms to the general norms of project cycle with highest proportion in the middle stage of the project. Actual expenditure is always less than the budgeted amount. The average running cost of the project is 20 percent per annum.

Some of the project activities are gender friendly with a predominance of women participants, while some others are predominated by male participation. Women constitute 52.6 percent of the total number of participants in the overall project activities.

Project activities have been reported as highly relevant to address the reported needs of the communities. The literacy classes and the community libraries are considered as highly instrumental in increasing awareness and school enrolment of children. Similarly, health and sanitation activities are highly appreciated among the target population. Community people are now so attached with various activities initiated by the project, such as drinking water, self-help groups, kitchen gardening, etc. that they would feel miserable in their absence.

In Ghara, the situation was not to the expected level due to ethnic/social factors.

Recommendations

The sub-chapter is the weakest link and appropriate measures should be taken to enhance the economic as well as organizational capability of the Sub-Chapter by the District Chapter. Periodic monitoring of activities of Shikha sub-chapter by the District Chapter should be intensified.
Membership drive by the District Chapter and Sub-Chapter should have greater focus on increasing the number of women members.
Promotion of marketing facilities for kitchen garden products in cooperation with concerned line agencies of the district should be institutionalized.
Volunteers trained in Community Based First Aid (CBFA) should be provided with First Aid kits, and First Aid Posts should be established in the settlement areas of the VDC in cooperation with other agencies.
Trained Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) should be provided with delivery kits.
Households should be provided with mini-kit to promote kitchen gardening.

Comments from the organisation

The Norwegian Red Cross accepts the findings and conclusions of the report and will follow up the recommendations in cooperation with Nepal Red Cross