Evaluation of NCAs GBV Program Reducing Gender Based Violence and Building Sustainable Peace in DRC South and North Kivu D R Congo

Summary of the evaluation:
This report contains the results of the beneficiary assessment of NCA’s GBV programme “Reducing Gender based violence and building sustainable peace in DRC”. The assessment was carried out by MDF Afrique Centrale in November 2011 in collaboration with NCA’s partner organisations in Goma (North Kivu), Walungu and Bukavu (South Kivu) in the DRC.

The main purpose of the assessment was to generate data and information on the effectiveness of the activities and results of the programme. It should help NCA staff in focusing the programme both thematically and geographically, as well as increase the effectiveness of the programme for its second half. Moreover, this assessment allows NCA to strengthen its own capacities and those of its partners.

This study focused on two of the six specific objectives mentioned in the logical frame of the project:
- Psychosocial assistance and life skills training to child soldiers and vulnerable youth
- Care and multi-sectoral support for survivors of GBV – Reintegration activities

MDF AC has prepared and conducted this evaluation in a participatory manner, involving the project partners and the beneficiaries throughout the study. Involving them and other key stakeholders ensures that the purpose and process of the assessment was transparent, accurate information was gathered and different parties and views were heard. This contributes to the engagement of these stakeholders in the implementation of the project activities. MDF AC has collected qualitative data through focus groups and interviews in Goma, Walungu and Bukavu. The statements in this report come from beneficiaries and local partners of NCA.

This beneficiary assessment has lead to the following conclusions:

The study shows that the activities of the GBV programme have had largely positive results and outcomes on the beneficiaries. The vocational training is well organized and enables the beneficiaries to master new competencies. They generally estimate that they are perceived more worthy by their communities; they notice a positive change of mentality and are benefiting from having learned a profession. Almost all participants of the focus group discussion and the interviews acknowledge that there has been a change in the lives of the beneficiaries due to the vocational and life skills training received, and due to the reinsertion kits that have been distributed following the training.

There exists an effective collaboration between NCA and its partners (financial and technical reporting, meetings, exchange of information, etc.). Moreover the collaboration between NCA’s partners and the community is good. This latter is involved, satisfied and grateful. 

The programme is in general effective and relevant. However some challenges must be addressed:

Firstly, MDF AC found that - although NCA has formulated good and useful criteria for the notion of vulnerability, these criteria are often unknown by the partners of NCA. Consequently, those latter interpret this notion in a subjective manner and the definition of the most vulnerable target group differs case by case. Despite this difficulty, the beneficiaries match with the planned target groups by NCA.

NCA is recommended to discuss, to popularize and to share the definition with its different partners so that it is well understood and uniformly implemented for all the beneficiaries. That way the selection process will be more uniform and objective. To avoid jealousy of non-beneficiaries and the difficulties which are related to it – particularly the theft of the reinsertion kits) – sensitization actions specifically aiming at those groups of people may be helpful.

Secondly, whereas most of the training activities in the field are carried out as planned, there have been some difficulties regarding the distribution of the reinsertion kits and their quality. Some beneficiaries complain not having received their kits. According to the partners, this situation has been the consequence of a delay in funds by NCA. MDF AC recommends to always checking the distributed material during the reintegration of the beneficiaries. Moreover, the beneficiaries should systematically receive their reinsertion kit after having finished their training. Furthermore, a better respect of the budgetary planning is advised.

Thirdly, we point out difficulties regarding the sustainability of the economic activities carried out by the beneficiaries who are already reintegrated. A majority of the beneficiaries have difficulties to launch durable revenue generating activities. MDF AC advocates integrating the notions of responsibility and entrepreneurship in the training programme. Moreover it would be interesting to explore the possibilities for beneficiaries to gather in cooperatives. NCA could also explore the possibility of initiating a project with rotating funds supporting revenue generating activities (small trade, agriculture, livestock farming, art, etc.) in favour of the beneficiaries who are already reintegrated. Finally, it is fundamental to ensure the systematic and documented monitoring of the beneficiaries after their reinsertion in order to support them better with the problems they face. Monitoring beneficiaries after their reinsertion would also permit to obtain more information regarding the effectiveness of the programme. At the moment the monitoring system of NCA and its partners is not effective enough, and should be reinforced.

Fourthly, the collaboration between NCA and its partners is in general well functioning. NCA should continue to stimulate and facilitate the collaboration between its partners by regular meetings and project visits. However, the current collaboration is organized on a yearly basis. NCA has one year agreements with its partners, whereas the programme itself lasts 3 years. This way of working puts the partners in a situation of uncertainty. NCA should take into consideration aligning the duration of the agreements with partners with the duration of the programme. This would also facilitate multi-annual planning and monitoring by partners.

Fifthly, MDF AC estimates that record keeping of the activities carried out by NCA and its partners could be done better. This is particularly the case for the selection (selection forms) and monitoring process. It is recommended to implement a protocol to improve the transfer of beneficiaries between the partners of NCA.

Sixthly, MDF AC notices that the ACT code of conduct made available to the partners is not always well mastered. MDF AC advocates to popularize this code and to discuss it with the partners at the hands of concrete events faced on the field.

Despite these six remarks, the NCA’s Gender Based Violence project in Eastern Congo is working well. MDF AC is convinced that if these recommendations are followed, this will contribute to guaranteeing the effectiveness of the programme on a long term basis.