Thematic Evaluation of BNs integrated projects

Background

The Norwegian Missions in Development (BN) is an umbrella organization uniting 16 Norwegian missionary organizations. BN provides support and ensures the quality of the member organizations' (MO) diaconal development projects which are funded by public development assistance. In 2004, BN supported 25 Integrated Projects (IP). This is 16 % of BN's total project portfolio with a total value of about 43 million NOK, which is 30 % of the annual BN budget.

Purpose/objective

The evaluation should identify strengths and weaknesses of integrated projects and through this conclude whether this is a relevant and effective way of conducting development work. This should also include whether the way the BN member organizations - with the support of BN - is good.

Methodology

Review of member organizations' strategy documents, project documents, reports and evaluations;
Interviews of BN and the six member organizations;
Questionnaires by e-mail to member organizations' satellites (country offices) and partners as well as project directors; and
Field visits for one week to each of the following four projects: NMA's Integrated Development, Interandean Valleys and NLM's Integrated Rural Development Program of Tinguipaya (Prodecit) , both projects are in Bolivia; NMS' Integrated Village Development program Bara (SOFABA) in Madagascar and NLM's Pokot Integrated Program in Kenya.

Key findings

- This review shows that BN's integrated projects, their objectives, approaches, sectors and activities are generally very relevant for and most benefit the MOs' target population. The main shortcoming and challenge for the MOs is the role of the local partner.
- Most of the projects have the improvement of living conditions for the target population as the overall goal. Specific project objectives comprise improvement of social services and increased incomes, most often based on agricultural production. All the projects address at least two sectors, and most between two and four
- Generally the projects involve the beneficiaries in the implementation of project activities. Most projects have yet to involve them in all stages of the project cycle.
- Most partner churches' involvement in and ownership to the project are limited and they have few follow-up mechanisms to sustain project activities and achievements.
- The majority of the projects report to cooperate with the local authorities but many lack binding agreements with these for involvement, follow-up or take over of project activities.
- The MOs' are often strongly involved in project planning, implementation and decision-making. This can create more dependency and further weaken the partner church.
- Almost all projects apply different techniques and methodologies related to stakeholder participation and training methodologies and techniques. There is great room to improve and strengthen the skills of many projects, partners and MOs.
- Geographical and sectorial rotation is an important part for many of the integrated projects.
- Most projects have strategies for ensuring sustainability of project achievements and activities. But the sustainability aspects are challenging for integrated projects, in particular for those in Africa.

Recommendations

Following the evaluation's main findings, BN should consider assisting its MOs, the projects and partners in: (i) developing a practical guideline for planning and implementing integrated projects; (ii) organize various fora in Norway and in relevant countries to exchange experiences and disseminate best case studies; (iii) develop and disseminate best practice case studies to projects, partners and MOs; (iv) encourage exchange visits between relevant project and promote visits to relevant projects of other development actors and (v) continue supporting and promoting organizational development of the MOs' partner churches.