Evaluation Report, Peace and Rights Project

Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK) has implemented two main phases of the Peace and Rights project funded from Norwegian Pentecostal Mission (NPM)/Pinse Bistand since 2009. The first phase (2009-2013) worked in Mt. Elgon to address violence through conflict management and building of peace structures. The second phase (2016-2022) scaled to Muhoroni conflict cluster at the same time as it strengthened the capacities of various community peace groups established in the first phase in the Mt. Elgon region. The Peace and Rights project aimed at creating, nurturing and sustaining an enabling environment where communities become effective agents of peace building and support inclusive stability and development in the FPFK catchment areas. The project employed multiple approaches and strategies which included dialogues, mediations, trainings, healing and reconciliation, stakeholder reviews, advocacy and networking to achieve her objectives; ensuring that Conflicts among groups and individuals are resolved amicably by identifying and ironing out the root causes of disagreements. As well, the project worked towards promoting the rights of women, the youth, children, and indigenous peoples by building their capacity for self-advocacy, prejudice reduction and empowering target groups to participate in decision making at family, community and national levels.

Purpose/objective

The project envisaged the following outcomes:

2020. Communities are empowered with knowledge, skills and structures in Peace building and are working towards their peaceful coexistence in Muhoroni region by 2020.
2021. Peace structures are strengthened towards sustaining peaceful coexistence and cohesion among communities in Mt. Elgon region by 2020.

iii. FPFK leaders that have been trained, use their skills and knowledge to manage conflicts in their area and to support their communities by 2020.

Methodology

The evaluation team developed and employed an array of practical and participatory tools during the evaluation. The process involved use of participatory methodologies at various levels as well as application semi structured tools such as key informant interview guides, focus group discussion guides and Empowerment Assessment Tool (EAT) as well as review of secondary data. Quantitative data was generated from periodic reports as well as other secondary sources. This was backed up with qualitative data that was collected through FGDs and KIIs under relevant themes and variables.

Key findings

• Relevance: While responding to the issues identified during conflict assessment and analysis, PRP has been relevant to existing policy framework and FPFK strategic plan as well as community needs. By working with the local community structures, local administrations, peace committees, church leaders, schools (school-going children and teachers), warriors and their relatives, the project has to a larger extent addressed relevant needs of the communities in the target areas.
• Effectiveness: The evaluation indicate that communities are empowered with knowledge, skills and structures in Peace building and are working towards their peaceful coexistence in Muhoroni region.
• Efficiency: The evaluation indicates that FPFK has used cost-effective approaches that also respond to the needs and priorities identified during conflict analysis.
• Impact: The project, through implemented interventions has to a greater extent facilitated an enabling environment where FPFK and communities become effective agents of peace building and support inclusive stability and development in Muhoroni and Mt. Elgon regions in Kenya.
• Sustainability: The project design has put in place various strategies that would ensure continuation when the project comes to an end. Having engaged with the community for more than 10 years in Mt. Elgon and 5 years in Muhoroni regions, FPFK and the project has received great support from the community, and this will be upheld even after project period. The project has been working with volunteers whose capacity has been built to ensure continuity as the volunteers are from the local community. The project has also promoted local partnership and collaboration through formation of sustainable groups and community committees.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: The project has to a larger extent integrated Rights Based Approach (RBA) to programming, which has also promoted gender empowerment during project implementation. There is evidence of improved access and control over resources and benefits, decision making, participation in organizational life, and representation as illustrated in the interviews.

These findings are elaborated in the report.

Main recommendations

• To further empower communities in Muhoroni with knowledge, skills and structures in peace building to work towards a peaceful coexistence, the project is recommended to continue promoting and integrating access to justice by working with relevant authorities to prosecute the perpetrators for the victims to heal faster and build trust amongst the locals about legal procedures.
• While peace structures have been strengthened towards sustaining peaceful coexistence and cohesion among communities in Mt. Elgon region, there are still areas that need further interventions. This includes enhancement of local level advocacy by allocating funds for the groups to facilitate their movements within the mountain to continue with their smooth operations.
• The role of the church is still critical in peacebuilding and efforts should be made to ensure that FPFK leaders use their skills and knowledge to manage conflicts in their areas and to support their communities. For this to happen, the evaluation suggests providing further capacity development on peace to leaders within FPFK and other churches; work with other churches; and integrate more leaders in relevant project work. In addition, there is still a need for continuous organisational development of and systems strengthening within the FPFK.

These areas are elaborated in the report.

Comments from Pinse Bistand (NPM) and Digni

FPFK carried out a thorough process while choosing an evaluator for this assignment. The evaluation report holds a good standard and responds to the requirements in the agreed Terms of Reference. One of the most important findings is, that the project has managed to work with local partners and structures in society in a way that have empowered them with relevant knowledge and skills they can use after project closure. The evaluation also finds that the role of the church is important in peace processes. Thus, FPFK will apply for a new project on peace and resilience in other areas of Kenya. Experience and competence built up through the Peace and Rights project will be important for the new project.

FPFK is currently working on a new strategic plan in which peace work will be included. In this regard, FPFK will still need continuous organisational development and systems strengthening.

Digni supports NPM’s comments. The evaluator has assessed the results of the project according to Digni’s Empowerment Assessment Tool in a sufficient way.