9 Multidimensional Evaluation Tool. (P

9 Multidimensional evaluation tool. (p. 242) 243 9 Multidimensional evaluation tool 9.1 Modification of Safier‘sfour-dimensional model of action space It can be summed up that due to its systematisation and its focus on empowerment-processes the four-dimensional model of action space by Safier provides an insight into tendencies of a project. However, there are deficits in the comparability and the differentiation of the dimensions, which makes an evaluation of a project process and outcome difficult. Based on this critique and considering the research’s focus on community-based projects in the scope of urban agriculture in Palestinian refugee camps, the following steps according to the first two research questions of this thesis seem reasonable: 1st research question: 2nd research question: Which recommendations for action can be identified How can the identified recommendations derived from for community-based projects within the scope of the investigated four case studies and the analysis of urban agriculture in Palestinian refugee camps in the specific Jordanian context be made usable for Jordan? planning and implementation practices in the camp? a. b. c. d. Set important basic Give recommendations Extend the four-dimen- Integrate the thus preconditions. for action within the sional model of action developed multidimen- four dimensions. space by Safier with the sional evaluation tool parameters that result into the proposal of a from the given recom- potential community-ba- mendations. sed project. fig. 199: Steps toward answering the first two research questions (own illustration) 244 The outcomes of this thesis should be used positively for the elaboration of a community-based project design. The empirical and literary research allows to set basic preconditions and concrete recommendations, which should be considered within community-based projects within the scope of urban agriculture in the camp context. The parameters developed from the given recommendations lead to a refinement of the original four dimensions by Sa- fier and incorporate the gained knowledge into the design and programme of the proposal. 245 9.2 Development of a new multidimensional evaluation tool Since the results of this work are amongst others mainly addressed at external agents within community-based projects, who often enter projects with a tight time budget and little contextual knowledge, it seems sensible to compactly summarise basic preconditions and to provide a basis of useful recommendations regarding urban agriculture projects. At this point it should be made clear that the recommendations and preconditions listed here do not claim to be complete, but rather serve to create a basis for discussion about such a process. The tool should be kept open for extensions and contextual adjustments. Basic preconditions Firstly, the findings of the analysis should serve to define certain basic preconditions for a possible project in the camp context. Especially through the analysis of the case studies and the power structures in camps, conclusions could be drawn for basic preconditions, which should be considered particularly by external agents operating in the field. Recommendations for action Secondly, the findings of this thesis are to be transformed into recommendations for action, which are organised along Safier’s four dimensions. In a next step, the parameters, which are derived from the developed recommendations are applied to the graph by Safier. The thus es- tablished multidimensional evaluation tool shows the individual dimensions at a higher level of detail and therefore makes the evaluation of a project more understandable and easier to read. The community-based project and its individual subprojects are to be conceptualised and evaluated right from the start using the redeveloped tool to determine to what extent the perceived action space of the project arises and where possible deficits still exist. The aim is not to ensure that every subproject is completely developed within all of the four dimensions, but to cover individually set priorities. The sum of all subprojects, however, should cover the widest possible range of all dimensions. In this way the repetitive application of the tool within an actual project will help to evaluate the project’s process and outcome and provides a basis from which the potential action space can be sketched and discussed. 246 BASIC PRECONDITIONS A community-based project in the scope of urban agriculture should… 01 (Identify and built on) local interest and dynamics. A community-based project should always react to existing and detected interests of the respective context and offer a platform for following up on them. The aim is preven- ting the project and its contents from being too alienated within chosen context. As the term community-based already suggests, whether such a project may arise from an external impulse, above all it must respond to local goals and priorities. Whereas the in- itial responsibilities might often be assigned to external initiators, a shift of responsibility should take place during the course of the project. 02 (Integrate) phasing and steady evaluation. A community-based project should be set up in various phases, which are subdivided by regular internal and external evaluation processes. Phasing is a useful tool when it comes to detecting real interest and engagement of participants and it helps identifying possible incentives for them. The evaluation results should be integrated loop-like in the subsequent phases. Phasing and evaluation help to get steady feedback by participants about their perception of the project. Working on-the-ground and providing a contact person, who is constantly on-site, can help to build trust and to get honest feedback from the participants. Furthermore, it can enhance the efficiency of the work, accelerate decision-making processes and decrease chances of project failure. 03 (Be mindful of) local power structures. The realisation of any project within the camp context is de facto influenced by existing local power structures. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of and to understand clan structures, gender roles and the role of main agents in the camp, such as the DPA and UNRWA. Local power structures can influence community-led processes and can hinder especially vulnerable groups from participating. Community-based projects are therefore highly dependent on these power structures, which is why they should be perceived as important background variables of the project’s process and outcome. 247 04 (Consider) generational shifts. A tendency by younger generations towards a more open understanding of traditional values can be observed in the camp. It is important to take the generational shift and the discrepancy between the refugee generations in their way of perceiving the camp into consideration. While especially the youth tries to push gender-mixed activities, the older generations associate it with a threat to their values. Understanding and working with the associated challenges, risks (e.g. knowing and integrating potential opponents who see their traditional values under threat) and potentials (e.g. considering new and innovative ideas and concepts in the camp context) might help reducing inhibition th- resholds and increase inclusiveness and participation. 05 (Clarify) project aims and (detect false) expectations. Clarify project aims right from the beginning and detect false expectations. Both have to be reconciled steadily during the entire project period in order to hinder the occurrence of false expectations and to avoid an early drop-out of participants. 248 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION A community-based project in the scope of urban agriculture should… A Improving technical-professional innovations and individual or group ethics and behaviours 05 (Clarify) project aims and (detect false) expectations. a.01 (Integrate) sustainable resource management. a. (Integrate) recovery and reuse of water as a resource. b. (Integrate) recovery and reuse of waste as a resource. c. (Integrate) renewable energy resources. A sustainable resource management, such as the recovery and reuse of water and waste, as well as the use of renewable energy resources in the scope of urban agriculture will strengthen the local community’s resilience to climate change and at the same time contribute to the global agenda of climate change adaptation. Especially at local level, holistic sustainable resource management can help saving on budget expendi- ture for already scarce resources. a.02 (Integrate) innovative farming techniques. a. (Integrate) innovative irrigation techniques. b. (Integrate) local, non-genetically modified seeds. New farming techniques, such as the integration of innovative irrigation systems help to build awareness about an economic use of water and show alternatives to the import of expensive soil from overseas. Furthermore, the use of local, non-genetically modified seeds contributes to the conservation of traditional local plant species and a healthy local ecosystem and reduces the dependence on global monopoles of the seed indus- try. 249 a.03 (Build) awareness for healthy food production and nutrition through urban agriculture. Within the scope of urban agriculture, awareness of healthy food production and nutrition as well as the careful use of resources can reduce widespread nutritional diseases such as diabetes and increasing independence from national and global import and export trends. a.04 Collect, build

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