Mid-term evaluation of LO-Norway’s Decent Work global programme

Title of the evaluation report: Mid-term evaluation of LO-Norway's Decent Work global programme.

Background:
Since 1979 LO has had agreements with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) on support for labour rights and organizational development for trade union organizations in developing countries and a new framework agreement between LO and Norad has been signed for the period 2019-2023. The mid-term evaluation was carried out as an externally led exercise, led by Martin Schmidt and Erica Molin and carried out with the assistance of two LO internal staff members, advisor Jane Vogt Evensen and consultant Nadia Shabana.

Purpose/objective:
The objective was to analyse progress and document results in LO's global decent work programme. The main aim is to document and contribute to new knowledge about LO's programme work and potential to have greater impact. In particular, the findings and recommendations will be used to inform LO's work with the Decent work global program for the coming years.
Methodology: The evaluation covered the entire programme with an extensive document review, an on-line survey with responses from 15 countries, and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 staff of LO Norway, Norad, the Norwegian Employers Organisation (NHO), and
representatives of partner organisations in Colombia, Tunisia, Zanzibar, Ghana, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Using the OECD/DAC1 evaluation criteria as a basis for its structure, the evaluation presents findings, conclusions, recommendations and lessons learned in response to its overall objective. The evaluation was carried out digitally.

Key findings:
Relevance Exceptionally high. Thematic relevance as well as the added value of LO advisors and consultants in contributing practices and methods adds to the relevance of the programme.

Coherence High. Projects are well aligned with partner strategies and the national environment. A relative disconnect from the actions of other development actors moderates the level of coherence.

Effectiveness High. Outcomes are achieved to a high degree despite exceptional and partly unforeseen challenges. Strong results in advocacy, defence of workers’ rights, equity, and organisational strengthening.
Efficiency Medium. Less resources than expected were used and the organisational setup benefits efficiency. Cumbersome reporting engages resources.

Sustainability Medium. Capacity- and organisational strengthening contributes to sustainability. The current global threat to partners challenges sustainability.

Impact High. Impact is achieved across the programme and is partly attributed to past programmes.

Recommendations:
1. During 2022 or 2023, revisit the overall situation analysis underpinning the Global programme in view of the programme period 2024-2029.
2. During the remaining period of the 2019-2023 programme and to the extent possible, aim to bolster LO Norway physical presence in all partner countries.
3. During the remaining period of the 2019-2023 programme, make a point of revisiting each project from a strategic perspective.
4. During 2022 or 2023, revisit the Global programme framework in view of the programme period 2024-2029 with aims to a) reduce complexity and b) improve its usefulness for planning, partnership dialogue, and strategic priorities

In the formulation of the next programme 2024-2029;
1. Strengthen the “global” aspect of the Global Decent Work programme by
stimulating the exchange between projects and staff.
2. Re-visit the role of LO Norway and its partners as change agents based on the conclusions of a new overarching situation-analysis.
3. Strengthen the Global programme framework for 2024-2029 with increasing emphasis on local political- and internal dynamics as means to improve the efficiency and timeliness of operations.

Comments from the organisation, if any:
LO is working to follow-up the recommendations of the evaluation in the remaining and the next programme period.