External Midterm Evaluation of the development collaboration between NPN and NFU

Background:
NFU entered into development cooperation with Nepal Parents Network (NPN) in 2004, for supporting the parents to organise themselves into a parents’ organisations and to consolidate into a national level organisation and to advocate for the rights of people with developmental disabilities (PWDDs). The partnership has now reached a mid-phase and hence NFU commissioned a mid-term evaluation to assess the results of the cooperation so far. The evaluation aimed to review the development of the Network, to assess the achievements of the project so far, and to assess the results of the NFU – Nepal Parent Network cooperation.

Purpose/objective:
1. To review the Network’s position and achievements in terms of advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities;
2. To assess the possibilities of establishing a national advocacy organisation including all the member organisations of the Network;
3. To assess the Network’s long term capacity for sustainability, and make appropriate recommendations for future institutional and financial sustainability;
4. To assess NFU’s approach and contribution to the development of organisational structure and content at all levels of the Network.

Methodology:
The key methodology of the study included literature review, field visits and observations (to 7 districts), individual and group interactions, with the key stakeholders and questionnaire input (from NFU).

Key findings:
Very little has been documented on change in the situation of people with developmental disabilities. This together with the absence of any baseline data makes it difficult to say what concrete changes in the situation of PWDDs have taken place and it is even more difficult to relate any general positive changes exclusively to the development of the parents’ organisations or NFU’s intervention. However the reports and narratives shared by the participants have indicated some positive experiences in terms of increased awareness, access to information and knowledge, some responsiveness by the government, and an increasing acceptance of PWDDs among the society. Besides this, some specific policy reforms have taken place such as the creation of an ID card system foreseeing benefits for disabled people and the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which also promotes inclusive education. The challenges however remain with regard to the implementation of those policies and translating them into direct benefits for the people. Lack of funds for allowances, difficulties in getting ID cards for PWDDs, inadequate capacity of the government to manage inclusive classrooms, are some examples of these challenges.

Some project goals appeared too ambitious:
a) Organisational development: rather than expansion alone, the need for consolidation and institutional strengthening is urgently emerging.
b) Inclusive Education: Given the present country context where the parents have limited awareness and human rights perspective, and where the government still has limited capacity to manage and deliver services, a lot of parents find it hard to accept this objective as viable.
c) Self advocates: A lot of parents still underestimate their children’s capacity and are very protective of them.
d) Advocacy: Important elements of effective lobbying and advocacy such as alliance with other organisations, collecting documentation and public communication have not been adequately used.
e) Clarity of concepts: Parents have knowledge of disability issues, but in-depth technical content, clarity and consistency in the understanding of the concept are yet to emerge.

Recommendations:
1. Achievements of defined project objectives: it is important to ensure consistency in understanding and expectations, hence educating the parents further are essential. Accordingly define the project objectives, indicators (with base line) and logically linked interventions. This needs to be done through a strong strategic planning exercise.
2. Possibility of organisational transformation: Conduct a national workshop to re-initiate dialogue and open up for uniting and collaborating among all key actors of the DD sector.
3. Institutional sustainability and phase out strategies: Need to be reflected upon and a decision made accordingly.
4. NFU’s contribution to partnership: NFU’s greatest value addition would be in capacity building and institutional strengthening (transfer of knowledge, support for development of skills). Developing resource persons through Training of Trainers at grass root level would be valuable.
5. Lobby and advocacy: There is an urgent need to ensure that the national census provides accurate and complete data on PWDDs.

Comments from the organisation, if any: