Kukes Regional Development Initiative.Pdf
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A Difference in the Making: An Independent Evaluation of the Kukes Regional Development Initiative Community Infrastructure Project Acknowledgements This report was prepared by Jonuz Kola, Executive Director of VMA-Kukes. The information gathered from interviews and group discussion was processed by: Avni Germizi and Ramiz Spahiu. Translation of the material and text was provided by Elida Cenaj. The interviews and focus group discussions were conducted by the staff of`“VMA-Kukes” as follows: Avni Germizi, Aida Mucmata, Ramiz Spahiu, Klodiana Pacara, Riza Ademi, Neritan Muja, Violeta Cengu, Izet Ademaj, Agron Bytyci, Osman Cengu, Shpresa Kastrati. Pre-survey training was given by the UNDP-Albania Local Governance Programme Staff: Natasha Mistry and Eva Martiri. We thank all those who participated actively in group discussions and all those who devoted their time during interviews. Throughout this report, quotes are given of the beneficiaries to further illustrate the results of the project; these are the voices that matter most. A special thanks goes to the staff of UNDP, who spent their time to create necessary facilities and who did not intervene in our work, thereby allowing us to conduct a realistic evaluation of the Project. Kukes, 10/12/2005 Victims of Mines & Weapons Association - Kukes Tel/Fax 0242 4006, Mobile: 0682070905, E mail: [email protected] 1 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 3 2. Background to the Assessment 4 2.1 Summary of KRDI’s Objective and Activities 4 2.2 Tripartite Review and Recommendations for the Assessment 4 3. Scope of the Assessment and Methodologies Used 4 3.1 Rationale 4 3.2 Scope and Model 4 3.3 Methodology 5 3.3.1 Phase 1: Training of VMA 5 3.3.2 Phase 2: Field Interviews 5 3.3.3 Phase 3: Focus Group Discussions 6 4. Detailed Findings of the Assessment: Charts and Data 6 Field Interview Questionnaire: Section on “ways of doing” - level of community 4.1 7 participation in the selection and implementation of projects 4.1.1 Are you a member of a community based organization? 7 4.1.2 Have you heard about the KRDI Project? 7 To what extent were you involved in the process of deciding what project your village 4.1.3 8 was to receive? 4.1.4 Did the head of the Commune encourage you or your CBO to participate in the process? 8 4.1.5 Have you received training from UNDP? 9 4.1.6 Was the training received useful? 9 Field Interview Questionnaire: Section on “ways of thinking” - behavior and attitude 4.2 change amongst local government officials, CBOs and community beneficiaries 10 4.2.1 How would you describe you relations with the local government before KRDI? 10 How would you describe you relations with the local government after the 4.2.2 10 implementation of KRDI? Do you think CBOs are an effective means to address the development issues facing your 4.2.3 11 community? 4.2.4 If you are a member of a CBO, how does it function? 11 Field Interview Questionnaire: Section on “ways of being” - direct development Impact 4.3 12 of infrastructure works on the CBO and community beneficiaries 4.3.1 How would you rate the quality of the project implementation in your village? 12 4.3.2 Is the project beneficial to you? 12 4.3.3 Who do you think benefits more: men, women, youth/children, or everyone equally? 13 4.3.4 Is the project beneficial to your village? 13 4.3.5 Did you have any other project that was a different priority than the one selected? 14 4.3.6 Will you contribute to the sustainability of the project in your village? 14 4.4 Focus Group Discussions: Explanation of the Process 15 4.4.1 General summary of discussions in focus groups with Heads of Communes 16 4.4.2 General summary of discussions in focus groups with Heads of CBOs 17 4.4.3 General summary of discussions in focus groups with CBO Members and Villagers 18 5. Analysis of the Findings 19 5.1 Changes in Ways of Doing 19 5.2 Changes in Ways of Thinking 20 5.3 Changes in Ways of Being 20 6. Best Practices, Lessons Learned and Recommendations for UNDP 21 7. Annexes 23 7.1 List of Targeted Villages 23 7.2 List of Questionnaires per Village 23 7.3 Focus Group Discussion Plan 23 7.4 Assessment Terms of Reference 24 7.5 Pictures from the Assessment 31 2 1. Executive Summary The Assessment of the Kukes Regional Development Initiative (KRDI) was conducted from 07 - 25 November 2005 in 21 villages in the Kukes District by the NGO Victims of Mines & Weapons Association – Kukes (VMA- Kukes) on request of UNDP-Albania. The key purpose of the Assessment was to measure the results achieved so far by KRDI project – specifically focusing on the participation and cooperation of the community and changes in behavior and attitudes at the local level as a result of the project intervention. The Assessment utilized interviews and focus group discussions and covered the villages that have already benefited (or started) the infrastructure projects. In total, over 454 field interviews were conducted with representatives of the local government, members of community based organizations (CBOs) and other members of the communities; 317 (or 69.8 %) of the persons interviewed were males, while 137 (30. 2%) were females. In addition to the field interviews, nine focus group discussions were conducted (utilizing pre and post discussion questionnaires and facilitated discussion methodologies based on a standardized questionnaire) in which 157 persons participated (including members of CBOs, local leaders and community members). Within this group, 49 (or 31.2% of the total) were female, while 108 (68.8%) were male. As will be shown in this report, it is clear that there have been significant achievements during the implementation of the project despite the relatively short period in which it has been operating (it began in January 2005). The timing of the Assessment provides an important opportunity to expand KRDI’s best practices and address shortcomings at an early stage. It was also clear throughout the process that the community based approach in KRDI has been successful; specifically, the Assessment has shown that if community participation is combined with transparency and a respect for tradition whilst being implemented in a democratic way, then the achievements are often beyond what was initially expected. As a result of KRDI’s work, the communities and local government authorities have acknowledged their responsibilities and started to cooperate and find interesting ways to improve their life in general. Through KRDI, a difference is in the making. It is important to mention that this assessment process was also a valuable experience for the VMA staff. Some of the key findings of the report are highlighted below. • 76.2% of interviewees describe the relation between the communities and local Government authorities as ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ after the KRDI project intervention compared to 41.8% before it; • 90.9% of people interviewed believe that their CBO functions ‘satisfactorily’ or ‘well;’ • 93.2% of interviewees believe that the CBOs are an effective means to address the development issues facing their community; • 72.4% of people interviewed have received capacity building/training from UNDP in topics such as leadership skills, participatory project identification and prioritization, CBO functioning and procedures, and gender equality; • 84.1% of the people interviewed believe that the project benefits their community ‘a great deal;’ • 92.1% of the people interviewed said they will contribute to the sustainability of the infrastructure project received through provision of maintenance or other services or through payment of tariffs. 3 2. Background to the Assessment 2.1 Summary of KRDI’s Objective and Activities: The main objective of the KRDI Project is to contribute to the establishment of sustainable livelihoods for the citizens of the Kukes Region through the rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of small community infrastructure works across the Kukes district utilizing social mobilization to ensure sustainability of the works and contribute to lasting social cohesion. To achieve this objective, the project is undertaking the following activities: • Form and train CBOs for the mapping of needs and prioritization of works; • CBO-local government consultative process and infrastructure project implementation; • Capacity building with Local Government and liaison with national authorities. 2.2 Tripartite Review and Recommendations for the Assessment: After 10 months of implementation, a Tripartite Review (TPR) of the KRDI Project was undertaken from 6-8 October 2005. Participants included members of the European Commission Delegation who provide funding for KRDI, UNDP-Albania representatives, and members of the Government of Albania (including the Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Minister of Interior). The purpose of the TPR was to examine the progress made in KRDI as per the activities noted above, and to assess the changes brought about by project activities. A series of site visits combined with meetings with local government, CBO heads and members, and other stakeholders were organized for the TPR team. Several recommendations were made in order to build upon best practices and address minor issues. One of the major recommendations was to conduct a more thorough assessment of the behavioral and attitude changes. As such, UNDP-Albania developed a terms of reference for the independent Assessment to cover all 21 villages targeted by KRDI in the Kukes District. VMA subsequently carried out this work. “We are now involved in the process of preparation of our development plans in cooperation with the Commune, because we have learned that in this way we can better solve our problems and address our needs.” - Representative of CBO Bushtrice 3.