Evaluatción final Participativa del Programa de Desarrollo y Fortalecimiento de Capacidades de las Redea en Bolivia (PDFC)

Project Description and Background to Evaluation

Project Development and Capacity Building Network (PDFC) was implemented between 2010-2013. This was the second phase of Network Development Project in Bolivia (PDRB) implemented from 2005 to 2009. It is an advocacy project that through a network strategy proposed to advocate in favor of children and adolescents at risk before local stakeholders and decision makers.

Purpose/objective

To identify outcomes and learning based on successful and unsuccessful lessons that may facilitate institutional growth for Viva in the future implementation of projects. In addition these lessons should help to discuss and identify the approaches, strategies and challenges when facing new interventions.

Methodology

The methodological approach of evaluation and data collection was participatory, inclusive and open. As part of the process sharing experiences, knowledge and self-learning were favored. The field work included the use of instruments and methodologies that were validated in the process by an appointed committee, which primarily measured the impact on children and adolescents benefitted by the project, capacity building of member organizations of the Network, the networks and the strategic alliances with churches, government, non-governmental organizations and local and national authorities.

Key findings

• The project achieved its objectives. The Network model works and has proven to be effective in term of impact. It provides solutions to the problems of children and adolescents. However its whole potential has not been exploited since it demands greater commitment from the church and local actors, self-management and to continue the implemented actions.
  
  
• The NETWORK model is an excellent strategy to improve the situation of children and adolescents at risk because it involves several actors. Here we have the state trying to do something but it is not very effective; then parents, who play a decisive role to change paradigms in regarding the quality of life of children and adolescents. In addition there are educators and caregivers of children and adolescents as well as organizations, whose work has complemented the work of the State and Church.
  
  
• VIVA JPN (together with the childhood)  with the supported of Viva International has developed tools, methodologies and advanced services that have been tested, contextualized and enriched through the implementation in Bolivia, demonstrating an acceptable level of impact. The technical and professional level of the consultants has been a determined factor. Methodologies were developed in Early Encounter Projects that could be replicated in other national and international stages.
  
  
• Networks strengthened their capabilities to develop Integral Development Programs for the Protection of Children Rights. 17821 children and adolescents got access to protection and wellbeing programs, achieving 118.8% of the expected population.
  
  
• In terms of impact on children and adolescents, there was a positive change in the emotional, psychological, spiritual, leadership, protection, etc. On the scale of participation of Roger Hart, the project climbed up to the top steps compared with the beginning of the work, when it was on the first ones. The reason behind is the protagonist and visibility approach that has characterized VIVA during all these years. They have developed methodologies and activities to strengthen this area. In addition there was a quality processes and training of tutors and educators of children and adolescents in the comprehensive care approach. Massive campaigns have been social impact events that are helping to position a new culture, where children and adolescents are the protagonists. It is difficult to measure the impact, but there is incidence.
  
  
• The number of beneficiaries and impact are in line with the resources invested and even more. There is an interesting trend to self-management of resources because of the increasing participation of local actors. The networks recognize to have few skills in resource mobilizing the networks. They see the issue of sustainability in terms of monetary income to cover 100% of the budget required for the activities. However 70% is mobilized in kind and agreements made by the NETWORKS.
  
  
• The strengthening of networks is still in process. It is expected that these networks are mature enough and strengthen their capacities in management of their own resources and self-sustainability.
  
  
• In terms of impact on the churches, the percentage of influenced churches is less than 20%. The level of commitment that these churches have developed regarding children and adolescents is fair to good. Another way to measure the churches’ commitment was the financial contribution given by these churches to the organizations member of the NETWORK. The churches contribute with 15% of the budget. This shows the beginning of a commitment that could be strengthened.
  
  
• The NETWORK model provides solutions and has the potential to have greater collective action, primarily because the main actors are involved in improving living conditions of children and adolescents. In addition it facilitates a greater coordination among organizations and avoids duplication of efforts. It is proven that a coordinated work has much better impact, because global and urgent problems are identified, there are common interests and values and finally it  strengthens organizations and individual actors.

Recommendations

• El trabajo de las Redes se ha enfocado en las zonas urbanas y eso está muy bien y debe seguir. Sin embargo las mayores necesidades que tienen nos NNA en Bolivia se dan en las zonas rurales, en especial con indígenas y pueblos originarios. Sería bueno explorar la posibilidad de hacer diagnósticos y generar proyectos para estas zonas. Por ser el enfoque del gobierno, incluso se podría gestionar fondos del mismo gobierno, ofreciendo las herramientas desarrolladas. 
  
  
• The work of the Network focused urban areas and that was fine and should continue. However the biggest needs we have in Bolivia NNA occur in rural areas, especially indigenous and native peoples. It would be good to explore the possibility of making diagnoses and generating projects for these areas. Because the government's approach, you might even manage funds of the same government, providing the tools developed.
  
  
• If Viva wants to become a Network with broader impact that includes more than 90% of organizations in Bolivia (large and small), it should find a healthy balance between their important work of coordinating the response from the evangelical group with regards to children thematic and its work of managing and implementing projects. This could be achieved if the interests of the Network respond to all these organizations. So Viva as an international organization would play the accompaniment role. Under this role, Viva may continue managing and implementing projects that benefit the development of the Networks, but with another role.
  
  
• Tools and methodologies developed, validated, tested and enriched by Viva, which have proved very useful, must be patented locally. In addition their experiences should be systematized and made available to all churches and organizations working with children and adolescents but with a cost that allows to self-manage a national project to implement these tools. The funders would be happy that the work they supported and contributed to build, could help to go on with a second stage of the work.
  
  
• In places where NETWORKS are more dependent on the projects, there should be a plan for further strengthening and empowerment of NETWORKS. This could be made through the development and organization of workshops about resource management and self-sustainability. The implementation of the SMC project design module could be expanded in this area.
  
  
• To explore new funding opportunities such as the concept of corporate social responsibility that is growing in La Paz or the mobilization of churches as main sponsors of this cause.