Report of midterm evaluation of the development collaboration between ZAPDD and NFU

Background:
This mid-term evaluation was commissioned by NFU to assess the progression of her partnership with ZAPDD for the period 2004 – 2010 so as to inform the future direction of the collaboration up to 2014. Upon the request of ZAPDD, NFU has since 2004 provided capacity building support to ZAPDD geared at enhancing the latter’s competence and stature as a democratic and effective advocacy organisation. The focus has been on leadership training and advocacy capacities for improving the living conditions for persons with developmental disabilities, through human rights based interventions particularly in the areas of education and health. The organisational development partnership project which has been running since 2004, funded by the Norwegian agency for development cooperation NORAD, through the Atlas Alliance will be phased out in 2014. It is against this background that an external midterm evaluation of this development collaboration was commissioned.

Purpose/objective:
The overall aim of the evaluation was to review ZAPDD’s development as an advocacy organisation and assess the achievements of the project thus far including the results of the ZAPDD-NFU partnership since 2004.

 The specific objectives of the midterm evaluation were categorised under three broad areas of review namely; programmatic effectiveness, organisational sustainability as well as partnership modalities.

Methodology:
The evaluation was undertaken using diverse methods and tools within the broad framework of a cross sectional evaluative design. The specific methods used included the following; document review, participatory organisational capacity assessment, in-depth interviews and consultations with other relevant stakeholders, actors and partners, beneficiary assessments and data collection approach.

Key findings:
The partnership between ZAPDD and NFU through the development project has made reasonable progress towards the achievement of its implied objectives. With adjustments in some key areas, the project is likely to contribute significantly to the institutional growth of ZAPDD as a democratic and strong advocacy organisation and to positively impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Zanzibar.

Recommendations:
- Improve the programme relevance, the programme delivery approach and the activity reporting
- General Meetings should be held more regularly
- The roles of NEC and the management needs to be separated
- Develop a fundraising strategy
- Review her financial management guidelines and address all pending gaps that has been recommended by the audit reviews
- Strengthen the advocacy programme component
- Develop a strategic plan for ZAPDD

The evaluation team strongly recommends the continuation of this partnership and support.