Client: CAFOD, Christian Aid, Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL), Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD)
Country: Sierra Leone
Year:2007
In 2007 Triple Line conducted two final evaluations and one mid-term review of projects in Sierra Leone. All of the projects reviewed were being implemented by a UK organisation in partnership with a national NGO.
Youth empowerment and employment, HIV/AIDS, and working with reformed local government processes were of key importance in all of the projects. Triple Line worked with local consultants in all three projects. This was not only important in terms of language, but enabled the team to have a full range of insights into the way in which the conflict in Sierra Leone affected – and continues to affect – communities.
Services provided
The teams undertook literature reviews and, in all three cases, carried out broad consultation with a range of project stakeholders; this usually included project staff, national and local stakeholders (government, other NGOs), and project beneficiaries and typically involved semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in English, Krio or Mende.
Achievements
- In all three projects, Triple Line found that progress was being made in target communities, particularly in improving key elements of livelihoods and food security, as communities return back to their villages and begin farming again.
- Strides were also being made towards peace and reconciliation at the community level, although women and youth tend to have less decision-making power than male chiefs and elders. Work undertaken by Christian Aid’s partners, MCSL and NMJD, has also seen the strengthening of some local level governance structures.
- While there is still work to be done, these structures have opened up a space for dialogue at the community level, and are playing a role in fostering inclusion and promoting peace.
- In all projects engaging with youth and finding ways of promoting self-reliance and meaningful employment remain a key challenge.