EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT of SSID Strategic Plan 2006 – 2010

Background:
This external evaluation was ordered by NCA in order to assess SSID’s work during its previous strategy period from 2006-2010 and to give feedback and input to SSID for the development of their new strategy period from 2011-15.
Purpose/ Objective:
Identify the level of achievement of the objectives planned in the SSID strategic plan for 2006-2010 in order to strengthen the new strategic plan for the next 5 years (2011-2015) and to integrate the goals or results that could not be achieved in these years in the implementation of the new plan.

Methodology:
The methodological framework on which the evaluation will be carried out uses a mixed participation approach, at the quantitative and qualitative level. There were interviews, focal groups of SSID, rapid participative diagnostic, and problem tree. Three consultants took part in the evaluation: a head consultant from Columbia, a local consultant from the Dominican Republic, and an internal NCA consultant.

Key Findings:
The aims and objectives of the 2006 – 2010 Strategic Plan were achieved and the Sustainable Transforming Development —STD— proposal is effective since it develops abilities to make sustainable the SSID work.
The change in the habits and behaviors of the communities is confirmed by the sustainable results regarding children’s health, pre-school education, agricultural production and community organization. The process takes many years and centers on building trust and confidence, mutual respect, equality, verifiable results, follow up and accompaniment. Long-term processes are expensive, and demand perseverance, accompaniment, exchanges and permanent work between the SSID team and its allies.

The SSID’s proposal answers the basic needs and priorities of its subject population —beneficiaries—, and is consistent with the United Nations Millennium Goals, the government plans, and the policies and programs of cooperation agencies and partner organizations.
The community organizations and actions to solve the common needs proof the sustainability of the SSID’s proposal and, therefore, the possibility of reaching an end to the support given to certain communities in order to expand the experience to new communities, with the help of the same leaders.
The management work of the regional offices was an important contribution —in cash and in-kind— to achieve the objectives and goals of the five-year period. There was a decrease and delay in the resources received from cooperation agencies and other donors, as well as unforeseen expenses due to the national and Haitian emergencies. The allied cooperation agencies partially financed the emergencies. The team had to make an extra effort to cover the gap and fulfill its goals and obligations towards the communities. Therefore, the program expenses justify the results achieved in the five-year period.
The available information does not allow doing a result analysis that takes into account the regional and national income and expenses. That would let us determine the efficiency of the work done in each region. The sustainable results lead us to conclude there is an important cost-benefit and cost-efficiency relation.
Finally, the SSID must continue advancing and examining in greater detail the sustainable transforming development —STD— approach and keep, as interdependent pillars, the development of community fund-raising and basic need fulfillment capabilities, the prevention of climatic risks and emergency attention, and the national and international partnerships to influence the fulfillment of the basic rights of the vulnerable population.

Recommendations:
Several recommendations were made on the following issues: Turning the SSID’s Proposal into a Model Partnership and relation’s Network Reinforcing the Internal Capacity to Act Development of Community Abilities Stating Clearly the Work Policies and Strategies Emergencies Gender Youth Program Contents Communication for Action Concentration, Focusing towards Action Diversifying the Financial Sources National and International Partnerships Research

Comments from Norwegian Church Aid (if any):
A seminar was held to share and discuss the results of the evaluation in February 2011 together with SSID staff members, members of the board, representatives from CWS and from NCA. As a result of this evaluation and the seminar, SSID developed an action plan to address the recommendations made in the evaluation and results of the evaluation were taken into account when revising the plan for 2011.