End-term evaluation of Strengthening Environmental Civil Society Engagement for Improved Natural Resource Governance in Kenya, 2011-2014

Summary of the evaluation

Background

The project was a continuation of a previous 3 years project phase (2008-2010). The initial phase was anchored within the Environmental Movements in the South (EMIS) Programme. The project focused on advocacy capacity building of civil society stakeholders to enable them to positively influence natural resource policies and also effectively participate in sustainable co-management of their natural resources. The project entailed providing support to, and strengthening individual environmental civil society organizations and networks as change agents in advocating and influencing environmental policy formulation and implementation for better natural resource management and governance.

Purpose/objective

The goal of the project was to: attain sustainably managed natural resources supported by good policies and strong CSO participation in Kenya; its purpose to: increase CSOs participation in policy influence and engagement by the end of the project in order to ensure environmental considerations in development activities.

Methodology

The methodology comprised a) document review, b) visits to project areas where interviews and discussions including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with key stakeholders. The sample design and sample size were agreed upon by the consultants in collaboration with the project staff and comprised all the five CSOs that were supported by the project and representatives of purposively selected CBOs falling under the respective CSOs. The overall approach to the evaluation was participatory in that it involved the project management team and key stakeholder organizations.

Key findings

The Evaluation states “…without any reservation that this was a well executed project that has achieved the purpose for which it was implemented.”  Furthermore, “It would not be an overestimation to rate the performance of the project excellent. … this is because its conceptualization was very relevant for the prevailing conditions at the project areas and the management was effectively and efficiently carried out.”

It further states that the project has had conspicuous impacts both at the national and the community level. For example, the NECSA-K, an alliance of Civil Societies in Kenya engaged in natural resource management that was established by the project, is recognized by the Kenyan government as a key stakeholder and a vital resource on natural resource policy issues. The government actively seeks the input of the Alliance into draft laws while the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution seeks its comments before they approve natural resource related policies or bills. At the community level, the project established County Natural Resources Networks, facilitated formation and strengthening of other CSOs/CBOs and built their advocacy capacity. These local organizations are now empowered to demand sustainable utilization of their natural resources. To mention a few, they successfully effected application of appropriate fishing methods in the territorial waters at the coast; have been able to stop inappropriate utilization of their fertile land – unsuitable agricultural practices and mining; have been able to block non-transparent processes leading to exploitation of oil and gas and other minerals; and have been able to demand for co-management fo forests. All these impacts are attributed to the advocacy capacity building by the project. Communities at the grassroots are engaging national and county government officials and developers with confidence and relevant facts in matters concerning their natural resources. There are instances where local communities have been able to stop a multi-national project which they find incompatible with the environment (Kwale-CNRN).

The review also states that “Focusing on strengthening of civil society organizations (CSOs) has provided an avenue of ensuring sustainability of the project…”.

Recommendations

• The project be implemented in other parts of the country to empower other local communities to advocate for co-management of their natural resources and also demand for their equitable share of the exploitation of the same.
• In view of the success and effectiveness of NECSA-K locally, WWF-Kenya should consider influencing establishment of a regional alliance - based NECSA-K and its mechanisms – as a forum/force for East African local communities to advocate for streamlining regulations for exploitation of oil and gas and other minerals.
• WWF–Kenya should consider expanding the scope of such a project to cover other areas outside the coastal belt and the Rift Valley as the conditions in these areas that necessitated the implementation of the advocacy project are also experienced/ obtainable in other parts of the country.
• WWF-Kenya should consider a long-term commitment to advocacy capacity building in order to have real impacts on the community.
• There is a need for longer project durations, and associated funding, to enable communities internalize advocacy and other to be reached to enable effective awareness. 

Comments from the organisation, if any

WWF-Norway believes this is a credible evaluation and is pleased with the outcomes of this project. We will strive to integrate the lessons learned into the Africa Rift Lakes Programme and elsewhere within WWF.