Annual Report July 2014 – June 2015

LINKAGES: Linking Initiatives, Stakeholders and Knowledge to Achieve Gender- Sensitive Livelihood Security Progress Report: Ethiopia/Abdishe project

Project No: S065426

Project Duration: August 2012 – 2016

Submitted by CARE Ethiopia: July 2015 Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2

Acronyms 3

Section I – Progress Overview 4

1. Narrative Summary 4

2. Activities and Outputs 6

3. Gender Strategy 27

4 . Management and Operational Issues 28

5. Risk Register 28

6. Budget 29

Section II – Project Performance 29

1. Immediate & Intermediate Outcomes 29

2. Sustainability 44

3. Implementing Partners 44

Section III – Lessons Learned / Way Forward 46

1. Lessons Learned 46

2. Proposed Changes 47

3. Plans for the Next Period 47

2 Acronyms

AWP - Annual Work Plan BoA - Bureau of Agriculture BoFED - Bureau of Finance and Economic Development CBLA - Community Based Legal Advisor CF - Community facilitator CFI - Chronically Food Insecure DIP - Detail Implementation plan (---- equals AWP) FES - Fuel Efficient Stove FGC - Female Genital Cutting FO - Field Office FSTF - Food Security Task Force GBV - Gender Based Violence HHs - Households HTP - Harmful Traditional Practices HU-ISSD - Haramaya University, Integrated Seed Sector Development MTE - Mid Term Evaluation MFI - Microfinance Institution MSP - Multi-Stakeholder Platform OCSSCo - Oromia Credit Saving and Share Company OFG - Oxen Fattening Group PMF - Performance Measurement Framework PSNP - Productive Safety Net Program SAA - Social Analysis and Action ToR - Term of Reference VA - Village Agent (equivalent to promoter) VC - Value Chain VSLA - Village Saving and Lending Association WAG - Women Asset Building group WCAO - Women and Children Affairs Office Section I – Progress Overview

Abdishe is a project designed to provide alternative and accelerated pathways towards graduation from the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). The project is centered on market-driven approaches; with emphasis on assisting PSNP beneficiaries and other vulnerable women, men, boys and girls lacking access to other food security and microfinance programs to acquire assets and enter into viable markets. The project has also targeted chronically food insecure women living in two urban kebelles, which are not covered by the PSNP. This initiative is also considered potentially promising in promoting and complementing the rural-urban linkage for local economic development. The project participants include 4,597 PSNP households from 9 rural Kebeles and 2,914 non-PSNP households from the same 9 rural kebeles and 2 nearby urban kebeles. 1. Narrative Summary

In this reporting period, many activities leading for realizing planned outputs and which in turn leading for attaining the three outcomes of the project have been performed. Different economic groups, like oxen fattening groups, women asset (goat rearing) groups and honey producing groups have been intensively supported in asset transfer, building and management provisions. As part of promoting organized market, the producers and marketing groups and market centers are supported and strengthened. Likewise, large number of target groups are also supported through improved seeds provisions. Many of the target beneficiaries have significantly increased their income and resource base. This intervention has been also complemented by diverse types of skills and knowledge building in the areas of gender equity, nutrition, business and financial training.

Beneficiaries of the livestock provisions have been able to generate additional asset and transfer the new born ones to the second level beneficiaries. Likewise, beneficiaries supported under the improved seed provision are benefited from improved seed certification by Haramaya University integrated seed sector development project, (one of Abdishe Project Partner) and able to significantly increase their income.

As part of institutional capacity building, the project has supported the organization of the multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) where key government and private sector representatives and project beneficiaries are participated and sensitized on gender-

4 sensitive value chain and market linkage. Beneficiaries are well introduced and linked up with their potential business partners and middle level service providers

To sum up, the project has registered a remarkable result in the area of project collective ownership, promoting saving culture, enhancing group solidarity and social cohesion, building business skills, asset creation, smoothening household food consumption, increasing self-confidence and radiness for graduation. The follow are highlights of specific activities and results registered during the reporting period.

A) Increased quantity and quality of food production and consumption by women, girls, men and boys:

To date, the project supported the organization of 5555 HHs under 297 VSLAs, of which 1982 HHs are supported to be organized in 98 VSLAs during this reporting period. Over 3500 HHs have been provided different kind of trainings and technical support in the broader areas of VSLA methodology,appropriate feeding practices, nutrition, animal husbandry, gender issues and so on. In support of enhancing the livelihood security of beneficiaries, the project provided 85 kilograms of different kinds of vegetable seeds to 630 HHs; purchased and transferred 1722 goats to 574 HHs; 1826 offspring transferred to 503 second level beneficiaries HHs; 85% of the oxen transferred to the second level beneficiaries; and 50 modern beehives with complete set of accessories and processing equipment to 50 HHs organized in three producers groups. Reflection with community groups and individual beneficiaries confirm that significant improvements are registered at household level in terms of production, productivity and dietary practice, both in variety and quantity of food consumption.

As indicated in the MTE, beneficiary households eat at least six types of food groups/items, including Sorghum, Maize, Barley, Wheat, Meat and Dairy, and Haricot Bean, compared to only 3 major crops used to be eaten before the introduction of the project. Likewise, compared to 2 meals before the introduction of the project, beneficiaries took an average of 2.58 meals per day during the month before the survey. There was no significant difference between the number of meals taken by women and men in the household. 64% of the surveyed households eat three meals while 30% of them eat two meals per day. Close to 97% the beneficiaries are able to cover six month families’ food consumption from their own income and savings. Over 91% of the beneficiary households have had enough food to feed their family all day during the month before the survey (February 2015). We have got feedback from the Wereda Health office that the level of malnutrition has been reduced in Wereda and they recognized the contribution of the project. However, the project has not yet conducted systematic evaluation to speak about the scope and degree of changes happening in the life of beneficiaries and the project contribution and attribution to

5 the change. We have got signals that build our confidence that the project is on track and life of significant number of the communities is positively changing. This will be further validated and quantified through the joint evaluation.

B) Women, men, and boys and girls are better able to manage and control their economic enterprises:

Significant numbers of women, around 2302 HHs, have received VSLA methodology training and animal husbandry training. Likewise, more than 4000 household have received agricultural inputs through asset transfer provision< Besides, they are provided technical and experience sharing support on bee hiving, vegetable production, and small ruminates and animal husbandry. Promising and encouraging results are coming out in terms of women’s capacity in managing and controlling over their enterprises. Preliminary evidences are reflected from beneficiaries that the household level power relation is changing, because of the engagement of men and women in addressing gender inequalities, increased awareness on women’s right, potentials and capacity and women’s contributions to the household income and economy. The mid-term evaluation also indicates that the gendered division of labor has changed over the last two years and household chores that used to be traditionally taken care of by women is now being shared by husbands. Over 68% of the women that participated in the survey also indicated that their husbands help them with the household chores.

6 Women Empowerment through Abdishe Initiative

Sekina Mohammed, 25, lives in Baredaa Kebele of Fedis Woreda, one of the poverty-stricken and food insecure villages in East Hararghe Zone of the Oromiya Region.

Sekina’s livelihood was indeed very fragile. On her very small farmland, she used to cultivate some crops to cover the food needs of herself and her family for just five months of a year. Her life started showing some signs of change whenever CARE reached out to her through the Abdishe intervention which is financially supported by the Canadian Government (DFATD).

Sekina takes part in “Sedefa” VSLA, wherein she acts as a chairwoman and conducts petty trading to earn some income. Last year, she took out some loans from her VSLA and was engaged in trading of vegetables, chat, eggs and groundnut twice a week in her village and the nearby town. This business really boosted her morale.

With the money she got from the petty trades, she is now able to fully cover her household expenses and buys food for her family. Sakina is extremely satisfied with her active participation in her VSLA and plans to be part of it for the rest of her life. “I am sustaining my children’s lives by providing them with enough food,” says Sekina. In addition, she aspires to open up a shop in her village and prosper more.

Sekina is not just a successful farmer; she is also a paralegal advisor. Because of this, she mediates disputes amongst spouses in her community. Her efforts are actually bearing fruits. Her engagement in small businesses and leadership has developed a very strong sense of confidence in her and this, in turn, has encouraged her husband to entrust her with more decision making roles. “Abdishe has brought me a great change in my life. It opened my eyes,” affirms Sekina.

C) The policy and regulatory environment supports poor women’s and men’s more equal control of agricultural resources and market processes:

The project engaged the trained gender-focal persons from different government sector offices to support them mainstreaming gender sensitive programming. The trainees developed action plan on promoting gender mainstreaming and equity and have shared widely in the multi-stakeholders platforms at zonal and village levels. Likewise, wider sensitizations have been made at village and community levels on gender equity and justice and gender based violence by the community based legal advisors (CBLAs) and Social Analysis and Action (SAA) facilitators. The communities are reporting that gender-based violence and conflicts are significantly reduced. Community level conflict resolution mechanisms are also placed at village level to

7 resolve considering gender equity lens and family values. The Kebele administration has provided office to the trained CBLAs so that they can provide the legal service at village and decentralized level.

During the reporting period, the gender gap in terms of access and control to extension service has been reduced by 5.95 and 5.3%, respectively. Likewise, the gender gap in access and control over goat has been reduced 26.5% and 14.7%, respectively. Reflections from beneficiaries and government institutions indicate that both community and government institutions are changing their attitude and becoming inclusive and gender sensitive.

The project has lived with some challenges though not significantly hampering the achievement of the project objectives. The following are major ones:

a. Delay in the transfer of Guarantee fund: The process of signing agreement with the MFI took longer time than expected. Though too late, the agreement has been signed at the end of this fiscal year, and beneficiaries are expected to access better and diverse financial service in the coming year. b. Partners and communities were over occupied with meetings: Continuous meeting at all levels made our government partners and community members too busy to provide support to the beneficiaries. This is mainly related to the preparation of national and local election. c. High turnover of government staff: Absence of project focal persons and purchasing committees caused significant delay in the implementation of project activity, in particular to livestock purchase and asset transfer activities;

2. Activities and Outputs a. Using your Project Information Monitoring Sheet (PIMS) for activities and outputs (based on your AWP), report progress in the table below on each activity chronologically by providing analysis on results (expected and unexpected) and justifying any variance encountered. Describe what the major gaps were in the outputs, if any, and how these gaps were narrowed during the semester. Use quantitative and qualitative measurements as much as possible. b. Describe in detail any challenges met during the reporting period, if any and remedial action taken or to be taken (action and timeline) to address the issue. c. Report any other important issues, assumptions or limitations which affected project implementation, from the perspective of activities/outputs.

8 Table 1: Project results at activity/output level: Complete the table using data from your Project Implementation Monitoring Sheet, expanding here on the narrative. Please also annex your most up-to-date PIMS with the report. Variance: on-track, Project Activity/Output Result: qualitative/quantitative data delayed or postponed. Activity/Output Target (as per PMF) Explain why. Train HHs on Train 570 HHs on improved The project provided training to 1339 HHs Over achieved improved agricultural technologies. It was (881 women). Beneficiaries planted Maize agricultural planned to introduce technologies adapting the acquired new skills and technologies for the production of Maize and knowledge. wheat crops. ToT for woreda Provide ToT training for 57 woreda During the previous reporting period, the It is on track. The project experts and Dev’t experts and development agents project trained 60 woreda experts and already trained 60 agents on on . demand- driven extension development agents from the planned 68 for government partners demand- driven systems, improved technologies, the life of the project on improved crops, from the planned 68 for extension livestock and beekeeping technologies. The the life of the project. To systems, trained experts and development agents strengthen and scale up improved crop, provided support on post harvest for cereal the seed multiplication livestock and producers and seed multiplying farmers, on activity at community beekeeping improved fattening and goat rearing and level, training was technologies. honey production. Due to the impressive seed organized to 44 multiplication activity at farmers level, the government staffs (DAs, Fadis agricultural office decided to scale up woreda experts and this initiatives to other five operational supervisors of DAs).The Kebeles, increasing the total seed producing training was provided for group to eight. 44 experts and DAs trained in three days. From the total seed multiplication techniques and training participants, 6 management. are Female government staffs Establish and Provide 20 improved storage To reduce post harvest loss and maintain the The progress is well as support facilities to selected seed seed quality, the project established 5 targeted. seed multiplying multiplying farmers groups. additional seed multiplying group farmers Government suggested to farmers groups during this fiscal year. The project purchased scale up based on lessons 9 and handed over 20 improved storages and experience of the facilities with storage capacity of 10 quintals. three established ones. The three seed multiplying groups, There are very good established earlier, harvested their improved preliminary indications on maize and wheat seeds from 79 hectare of the benefits and land. They are also expected to harvest the scalability of the practice. sorghum. The groups have total members of Based on the obtained 176, of which 65 are female. The two groups lessons, it was decided to harvested good quality and quantity while the engage in other five new group in Bedhatu Kebele harvest less due to operational Kebeles. The the bad weather. Up to this reporting period, seed multiplying groups the two groups harvested 65 quintals of Maize totally increased to eight and 15 quintals of wheat. The seed advisory in addition to the board certified the quality of the seeds. They previously existing three. sold them in very good prices. They inspired other community members in other five Kebele to engage and benefit from similar initiatives. Besides, 685 HHs (345 women) received training on seed multiplication and provided 78 and 30 quintals of improved maize and wheat seeds, respectively. The trained government partners also cascaded the same training to 81 model farmers (34 women). Promote the Support 250 HHs in the production During the reporting period, the project The project over achieved production of of fruits. distributed 1100 Grafted Mango to 240 against the target set for fruits at women Chronically food insecured HHs living in nine the life of the project. This and men level kebeles. The project staffs also monitored the is because of the performance of 1975 Grafted Mango experience, interest and distributed to 300 HHs together with the market opportunity for woreda government partners. planting Grafted Mango. Beneficiaries and agriculture offices

10 requested further support to increase the outreach. Train women and Provide training to 112 women and The project provided to 165 HHs (88 women). Over achievement is men on equitable men on equitable distribution of Besides, the same training provided to 72 men mainly due to the active distribution of roles on use and decision making on and boys with the focus of engaging them in engagement of the roles on use and agricultural inputs and produces. equitable distribution of workload and decision agricultural and women decision making making at household level.This training was affairs office. on agricultural provided by the trained and experienced inputs and woreda agricultural office experts. The produces training participants are drawn from all nine rural and one urban Kebele SAA groups, in addition to members of the seed multiplication groups. They in turn are expected to share the learning to their respective group members. ToT on diet Provide ToT training to 40 HEWs, The project provided refresher training to 40 On track diversity and DAs and experts on diet diversity HEWs, supervisors of HEWs, DAs and experts nutrition for and nutrition. (20 women). They are providing awareness HEWs, DAs and and sensitization on nutrition, diet diversity, experts and equitable household food allocation to the M2M and VSLA group members and in different public forum and meeting. During the 3rd quarter of the fiscal year, a review and reflection session was held with 42 HEW, DAs, and health and agriculture office experts (29 female). It is revealed that morbidity and mortality secondary to malnutrition is significantly decreased in Abdishe operational areas compared to non- project intervention Kebeles. Likewise, improved child and women’s nutrition status and enhanced institutional service delivery and family planning coverage are observed. Train women and Train 90 women and men on 69 (42 women) are provided training on On track. Overachieved

11 men including 5 nutrition, food diversity & nutrition, food diversity and appropriate due to favorable M2M groups on appropriate feeding practices feeding practices by experts from the woreda conditions such as nutrition, food health office.. Besides, 16 M2M and 24 F2F community gatherings, diversity & groups are formed during the reporting period good partnership with appropriate to teach and promote on nutrition and health offices and HEW & feeding practices appropriate feeding practice. DAs at community level. The trained M2M and F2F support groups have cascaded the training to over 2222 members (1311 women) of M2M and F2F groups in all project intervention kebeles. The discussion covers topics on infant and young child feeding practices and th need for men engagement, the importance of exclusive breast feeding for children at least for the first six months, importance of supplementary feed after six month, environmental sanitation and family planning Train school Train 140 school communities . on Gender and nutrition club in the school were Overachieved. Reached community nutrition including post- established to promote the gender and to 76% of the target for (students, training/practical demonstration nutrition activities. The project established 11 life of the project. The teachers and school clubs in project operational areas project will catch up and parent during the last reporting period. Totally, 276 achieve the project target committees) on (166 female and 110 male) school community in the 1st two quarters of nutrition members received the training on nutrition the coming FY. including post- and diet diversity for three days. The gender training/practical and nutriton school clubs have been providing demonstration gender and nutrition education for the community through different means like drama during community gathering and student’s question-answer commpetitions. The review and reflection meeting with the school clubs indicates that the nutrition awareness level has gone up and beyond the

12 school communities.

Train women Train 275 men and women on 375 (220 female) are trained on equitable Overachievement. and men on equitable food allocation including food allocation and practical demonstration. equitable food practical demonstration at HH level.. The trainee started practicing equitable food allocation allocation at household levels and even including influencing the other community/group practical members, and neighbors. There are evidences demonstration at of reduction of malnutrition from the woreda HH level. health office in Abdishe operational areas. But, need to be further checked. Conduct cooking Conduct 10 cooking demonstration The project conducted 48 sessions addressed On track. Overachieved demonstration sessions at community level. to 2665 (1650 female) community members, by mobilizing the sessions at achieved 130%. Good number of men are also community members community level participating in the cooking demonstration and during the graduation supporting/exercising the same at household ceremony of VSLAs and level. This is a very impressing project result. engaging model men. Those men are speaking out in public gathering and encouraging and motivating other men to engage in cooking which is traditionally and exclusively left for women. Provide seeds for Different kind of seed were No target????XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX women and men distributed to increase the to produce food productivity and production of the crops community members Providing Provide vegetable seeds for 320 HHs 410 HHs (100% women) are provided Over achieved. vegetable seeds for vegetable backyard gardening. vegetable seed for backyard gardening. A Responding to the for backyard total of 85 kilograms of different kinds of beneficiaries’ need and gardening to HHs vegetable seeds (70 kg of onion, 5 kg of motivation, and following who produce with carrot, 5 kg of Beat root and 5 kg of Swiss the experience sharing 13 irrigation chard) distributed. visit to the famous Besides, 230 women from the two urban vegetable producers in operational kebeles are provided vegetable Hararghe, the project seeds (Tomato, Cabbage, Red root, Salad, reached more Onion and Carrot). The initiative has beneficiaries. contributed to diversify income and increase the quantity and quality of food consumption at household level. The majority of community members are producing at least three types of crops. Demonstrations conducted at community level on food preparation and dietary diversity have motivated beneficiaries to grow as diverse crops as possible. Form SAA groups Form 25 SAA groups to conduct 8 SAA groups are established during the The numbers of SAA to conduct discussion on equal decision making reporting period. So far, 39 SAA groups groups formed are more discussion at at community and HH levels formed, exceeding from the target 25 for the than the target for the community level life of the project. They have 1058 members cumulative and less than on equal decision (828 women). The SAA groups are formed the target for the making by from different community categories. Staff are reporting period, almost women and men trained on the revised SAA manual. The 172%. This is mainly due at community manual is also translated in the local language to overachievement and HH levels and complemented with facilitation guide. during the last reporting period of time. The During the reporting period, 614 community project is on track in members, (85% women), actively participated reaching community in equitable decision making discussion members through SAA sessions. The feedback obtained from group formation. beneficiaries indicates that there is improvement at household level in household chores and power relationship. Besides, improvement observed in terms of open discussion and women’s participation in decision making, especially in big assets sell.

14 Conduct Conduct 200 community The project conducted 56 CC sessions during Though the sessions’ community conversations (CC) on the roles of the VSLA graduation ceremonies. 1052 VSLA number is below the conversation women and men on access and members and 614 non-VSLA members (739 target, the project using VSLAs as control over process in VCs women) participated in the conversations. reached significantly high platform for number of HHs through wider community The project is considering increasing number VSLAs. (using the VSLA as interaction on the of women in participating and controlling of a platform and during the roles of women the value chain process. Participating women VSLA graduation event). and men on are also provided additional capacity building access and training, technical support and marketing control over skills, in addition to financial process in VCs provisions..Women are highly inspired and motivated in participating and controlling over VC process while expressing their dreams and wishes to get out of poverty in public. Provision of Support the establishment of three The project supported the establishment of On track. CARE Ethiopia modern beehives landless groups and distribute 63 three landless groups with 50 members (31 East Hararghe field office with complete set modern beehives sets with complete women) and distributed all 50 modern bee has very good experience of accessories accessories. hiving and process materials with accessories. in beehiving. Fedis is also (vial, sprayer, 60 kilogram of wax was purchased and a potential area for honey smoker, provided to the beekeeping groups. They are production unlike the protective provided and exposure visit . Two of the earlier prediction that the equipment, etc) groups are provided land by the local ecology is not favorable to enhance government and got their land certificate. for honey production. honey production Colonies are transferred from the traditional through beehives to modern beehive. promoted queen rearing. They harvested their first honey production which is much higher than the quality and quantity produced from the traditional beehives. t Establish Establish 50 VSLAs/PMAs; 61 VSLAs are established with a membership Over achievement. It is VSLAs/PMAs of 1455 during this reporting period, mainly due to the

15 Train 100 community VSLA increasing the total VSLAs number to 297, and experience effect. promoters, with a total membership of 5,555. The number of The newly established VSLAs have taken most community promoters of the required methodology trainings. Apart required depends on the from saving, the members of VSLAs are taking number of VSLAs loan and engaging in different profitable established and the income generation activity. The group topography of the project members cumulatively able to mobilize more area. It is believed that than 557, 637 birr (CAD 29, 853) savings. In the promoters can handle the reporting period, a total of 1455 VSLA up to 10 VSLA without members took loan amounting 427,638 birr compromising the quality. (CAD 22,894). The group members are using And thus, the project may the loan for different profitable income not need to train generating activities like petty trading (eggs, additional community ground nut, fiber rope, paper, goat, Chat and VSLA promoters. cereals). 140 VSLAs with membership of 2,302 are graduated in this reporting period. During the graduation ceremony, well-performing VSLAs have shared their experience. Awards are also provided to well-performing and graduating VSLAs. The VSLAs overall performance is improving and members are economically and sociall benefiting from the VSLA membership.

51 VSLA promoters from community are trained and supporting VSLA groups. Link VSLAs/PMAs Link VSLAs/PMAs to BDSP, Market Negotiation continued with the potential The discussion with the to BDSPs, and MFIs financial service providers. Agreement existing MFI (OCSSCo) markets and MFIs reached to link up VSLAs/PMAs MFIs and took longer time than RuSACCOs. expected. The absence of potential strong other MFI (RuSSACo) in operational

16 area is also another challenge. Agreements are signed with OCSSCO and RuSACCOs. Provide Provide training on leadership and 415 women are provided training on On track. The good leadership and HH asset management to 439 leadership and HH asset management partnership established at HH asset women, The trained VSLA leaders cascaded the woreda level supported to management training to 1182 VSLA members. They are also achieve the target. training for exercising the skills and knowledge. women Train women and Train 400 community members and 31 experts (14 women) from government 74% achievement. The men on VCs model farmers using the offices are provided ToT. 291 (93 women) training postponed due to (ground nut, government partners that are community members organized under the delayed linkage with oxen fattening received this ToT training. three value chain and provided training on MFIs/FSPs. and honey) and value chain. market information system to engage them in selected value chains Form and train Form and train 200 WAGs The project has supported the establishment Over achievement. The Women Asset Besides, the project provided and training 209 women asset building groups focus will be on Groups training on animal husbandry by the during the last reporting period from the monitoring of the transfer trained woreda experts. to planned 200. The project targeted to address and engaging WAG strengthen the transfer of goat 3506 first level beneficiaries. The total members in the profitable rotating scheme from the first level planned members of the women asset business including goat beneficiary to the second level and building group including the second level trading and strengthening to engage women members in the beneficiaries are 7012. the capacity of women to profitable business. control the business they During the reporting period, 1794 WAGs engaged in. members received training on animal husbandry. So far, 6986 WAG members are trained. To date, the project is able to

17 establish 300 women asset building groups. Besides, additional refresher training was conducted to 600 leaders of the WAG groups

Group formation continued in accordance with the project transfer modality. The organized WAG groups have the 1st and 2nd level beneficiaries paired together. They will be supported to develop their by- laws, selection of management and audit committee. The first and second level beneficiaries contributed some amount of money for insurance purpose to replace the dead animals based on their internal bylaws. 3493 HHs are engaged in goat rearing and exercising what they trained. Provision of small Provide small ruminants to 1178 1722 goats were purchased and transferred to On track. During the ruminants (3 HHs; 574 HHs previous reporting period, goats per HH) The WAG members are also provided required there was over training. Besides, the participation of achievement. The project beneficiaries in identification and negotiation has reached to its overall of price are empowering. The first target set for the life of beneficiaries have transfer 1587 offspring’s to the project. The project 661 second level beneficiaries. staff, partners and purchase committee at 26 targeted HHs identified as 2nd level woreda level have beneficiaries are migrated to other exerted their best effort operational Kebeles. to achieve the target even much ahead of the set time. Form and train Train 125 OFGs leaders The formation and basic training provision to Achieved. The life of the Oxen Fattening 23 OFGs has been completed in past FY. project plan is already Groups (OFGs) During this FY, 125 (65 women) leaders are met in the previous provided additional and refresher training on reporting period.

18 fattening, transfer modality and scaling up. Some of the 1st beneficiaries have transferred the oxen to the 2nd level beneficiaries as per the group by-law. Provision of The project doesn’t have plan during During this reporting period, the two remained On track. fattening oxen this reporting period, however the oxen are purchased and transfer. The project for OFGs project purchased and transferred already met the life of project target, the the two oxen remained from the last provision of 272 oxen. So far, the first level reporting period. beneficiaries of the OFGs transferred 237 (87%) oxen to the second level beneficiaries of the group members. The project provided 90 kilograms of concentrated feed to 230 2nd level beneficiaries, received the oxen. Most of the 1st round beneficiaries in OFGs have increased their livestock number by two or more. One VSLA group in Boko is supported to engage in the production and distribution of concentrated feed Provide Link VSLAs with MFI/FSPs The negotiation process with the potential Off-track. It is due to the guarantee fund MFIs/FSP has taken longer time than difficulty of finalizing the for VSLAs anticipated. Consensus reached with Oromia agreement with MFI through MFI Credit and Saving Sharing Company (OCSSCo) (OCSSCo). and Rural Saving and Credit Cooperative Society (RuSACO), and agreement will be signed in July 2015. Beneficiaries will have immediate access to financial services once agreement signed. Organize Organize an experience sharing 31 (6 women) seed multiplying farmers, Off-track, mainly due to experience event to 175 women’s and men. woreda partners and zonal experts the seasonal activity and sharing/learning participated in the experience sharing intensive meeting held by visit to other programme at Haremaya University ISSD seed partners. CARE operational multiplication center. Participant’s awareness

19 areas for selected and knowledge on good agronomic practices, women and men application of agricultural inputs, variety selection, seed preservation and marketing and establishing linkage with the research centers and government partners enhanced. 34 model farmers, DAs and woreda experts are also participated in the experience sharing program to one of the well-performing vegetable producers group, in Kombolcha. The motivation ande engagement of women and men in vegetable production around their homestead increased. Support VCs at Support and strengthen the The project has supported the establishment On track. the project able community level community groups organized in and strengthening of the three VC to facilitates the provision different VC products commodities in oxen fattening, ground nut of technical support to and honey production. the three selected value 284 women are supported to be organized in chains (ground nut, honey the ground nut production and marketing and oxen fattening). groups. They are provided with labor saving shelling machine and benefiting from the added value, selling the shelled ground nut in the market. 237 members of the fattening group transferred the oxen to the second level beneficiaries. 230 HHs second level beneficiaries from ox fattening group are supported with 90 kilograms of concentrated and supplementary feed.

272 fattening group members and 160 landless group members were received orientation on modern fattening technologies, marketing and transferring to the second level

20 beneficiaries.

The landless groups are supported with modern bee hiving materials and training. They have harvested their first production and benefited from additional income. Provide capacity Provide support to five business The project trained 10 government partners in On track. The training and building support development service providers; business plan development and value chain support was organized to BDSPs on development for 2 days. The trained experts together with the FSF gender equitable supported the development of three business project. and appropriate plans and continued to provide technical services support to the livelihood groups, advising on the profitable business and linkage the groups with the markets. Provide inputs Provide inputs necessary to enter in The project supported over 573 HHs (50 Overachieved. The necessary to to VC activities to 212 HHs; members of beekeeping group, 2 members of overachievement is enter in to VC oxen fattening group, 230 the second level mainly due to the timely activities to beneficiaries of the oxen and fattening group finalization of the targeted women with supplementary feed and 284 HHs purchase and distribution and men engaged in ground nut trading). of the recommended inputs that support the The project provided 11 shelling machine to selected value chain, the VSLA group members engaged in the especially the shelling trading of ground nut. In the same way, 100 machine which has a vital modern beehives with complete sect of role in reducing work load accessories and processing equipment were of women and increasing also provided to the four landless groups the profit margin. organized for the production of honey and 60 kilograms of wax to support the colony transfer and suppering. 237 members from oxen fattening group are also supported with concentrated livestock feed. Train and support Train 75 poor urban women to 174 poor urban women are organized in VSLAs On track. Over achieved.

21 poor urban engage in selected activities during and provided training in IGAs and business The government partner’s women to the reporting period, skills. The project also supported the support and motivation to engage in construction of three market centers for the functionalize the market selected three VSLA groups. These centers are trading centers/shops and activities ground nut, concentrated feeds for livestock women’s interest and poultry. The VSLA group engaged in contributed to over poultry business has mobilized over ET 49,500 achievement. Birr to date.

The 100 poor urban women organized and supported in previous period are producing fuel efficient stoves and selling to the community at a fair price. Apart from income generation, this initiative contributes to reducing deforestation, and women’s time and labor. Train women to Train and support 70 community- The project already trained 84 CBLAs during On track. Over achieved. provide paralegal based legal advisors; the previous reporting period. Refresher The wereda government supports to training to 55 CBLAs and linkage with kebele found the initiative very improve equal and wereda structures are conducted. The valuable and scaleable. decision making CBLAs are providing the paralegal support to They even provided office and reduce improve equal decision making and reducing for the CBLAs in the gender based the GBV. They are working with the Kebele kebele compounds. violence (GBV) level structures in protecting women’s right and elimination of the GBV and harmful traditional practices (HTP). Over 259 (161 women) attended the sensitization and awareness creation sessions on HTPs and legal issues. Visible difference in terms of reduction of GBV cases, conflict, HTP, early marriage, FGM and polygamy are observed in the project operational area compared to the neighboring kebeles. as reported by the

22 woreda government partners. The Federal Ombudsmen visited and discussed with the CBLAs and they recognized the CBLAs as an initiative that is contributing for the reduction of GBV and HTPs. During the reporting period, the CBLAs managed 20 cases related to conflict between husband and wife and polygamy and all cases are settled in favor of women.

Based on observed positive results, the woreda women and children’s affairs office is requesting the project to scale up this activity in other operational Kebeles. In some of the Kebeles, the trained CBLAs are promoted to different kebele administration and food security task forces structures. Organize events Organize 3 community level events The project organized 2 community levelO On track. Considering the where role model to recognize role models and events to recognize the role models and share experience of the two HHs who have facilitate sharing of their good their experience. 108 HHs (92 women) got events, a more more equitable practices in equitable work recognition, and awarded fuel efficient stove systematic selection of workload distribution in the household. and certificate the woreda administrator. HHs and organization of distribution in These events created motivation to other men an event will be their home to support their wife and take household conducted. awarded responsibilities. Train men and Train 150 men and boys on 207 men and boys received training on On track. Over boys on equitable equitable household workloads equitable household workloads distribution achievement due to local household distribution and DM. and DM. It is observed that the men are government support. workload supporting their wives while the boys are distribution and supporting their sisters in fetching water, decision making collecting fire wood, caring giving and involving women in household decision. Also they are sensetizing community on men and

23 boy engagement for gender equity in various social and public gatherings. Train women, Train 83 women, men and 125 (65 women) community leaders and men On Track. The men and community leaders on climate and women from the community early overachievement was community resiliency and adaptive strategies. warning committee are trained on climate mainly due to the strong leaders on resiliency and adaptive strategies interest and support of climate resiliency The the local government. . and adaptive strategies Train community Train 28 members of the community 70 (27 women) members of the KFSTFs are Over achievement is FSTFs on gender FSTFs on gender sensitive planning trained on gender sensitive planning and mainly due to matching sensitive and monitoring of food security monitoring of food security programs. The the training time with the planning and programs. KFSTFs are providing support to the women, schedule of the FSTFs monitoring of especially to those marginalized female when they came for other food security headed households after receiving the meetings. programs training. They also started gender disaggregated planning and reporting. Maintain and Maintain and construct market The livestock market center in Fechatui is On Track. The construct market centers in Fechatu and Boko maintained and upgraded. maintenance of Boko centers (fencing) kebeles. market center is pending as the local government is considering to develop another new market site. Establish and Conduct 2 MSPs and strengthen The project organized the 3rd and 4th round 2- On Track. strengthen community-based multi-stakeholder days MSPs where 33 and 37 participants, community based platform (MSP) on WE and GE respectively attended. Of the total 70 multi stakeholder participants, 39 (55.7%) are women. platforms (MSPs) Participants are drawn from community on women members, religious institutions, government empowerments sector offices, Haremaya University, research and gender institution and value chain actors (Traders and issues (with 50 % whole sellers, ECO FLORA and Hamares Edible women oil factory).

24 representation). Challenges and social barriers that affect women in business and value chain activities are well recognized. Knowledge shared and consensus reached on how to promote women participation in the value-chain support scheme. Achievements in the reduction of early marriage, harmful traditional practices, female school dropout, polygamy and female genital cuttings are also recognized. The woreda and zonal women and children affairs office, animal agency, cooperative promotion office and health office is tasked to coordinate and lead the implementation and monitoring of the agreed action plan. Train DAs and Train 10 DAs and HEWs on key During the last reporting period a total of 30 Off Track. Postponed to HEWs on key analysis tools. government experts (50% women) received the next FY due to other analysis tools: the training. During this reporting period, the competing priorities of Gender, CVCA & project did not train new partner staff, rather the DAs & HEWs. DRR. working together with the already trained However, the project ones. achieved around 50% against the project life time target.

25 3 Gender Strategy a. What were the expected results of the gender strategy and what progress has been made to meeting these results over the reporting period?

The project is entirely designed to empower women and girls, through improving the livelihood of the target households, in the woreda. The project adapted the CARE Women Empowerment Framework and engaged in three fronts, agency, institutions and structure to achieve women empowerment objectives. The following are initial results attributed to the Abdishe project, which some of them need to be further assessed to define the scope of the changes through evaluation.

 Nutrition Status of Women: The project has promoted nutrition education, balanced-dietary practices, cooking demonstrations, gender sensitive extension service and equitable household level food consumption. Review and reflections findings at VSLA and M2M levels indicate that significant progress has been made in women’s food consumption patter, in particular to the lactating and pregnant mothers. Also diversified food types are produced and available in the localities. Most households are producing at least three types of food. Some studies indicate that children born from mothers affected by malnutrition are likely to expose to and suffering from various effects malnutrition. So, the Abdishe project has shown an indication of the potential to break the inter-generational malnutrition effects in the community.

 Women Economic Empowerment: The project has supported huge number women to access and control economic resources. More than 1320 women are supported to engage in fattening, honey production, vegetable production, ground nut trading and goat-rearing enterprises. Over 2510 women are also supported to access and control farm tools and inputs and capitals to start and grow their IGAs. During the reporting period, the gender gap in terms of access and control to extension service has been reduced by 5.95 and 5.3%, respectively. Likewise, the gender gap in access and control over goat has been reduced 26.5% and 14.7%, respectively. They are also provided complementary technical, managerial and confidence building trainings. Their participation in VSLA, SAA and PMA/VC groups has significantly increased their confidence and hope to get of poverty. Women’s income, savings, contribution to the household expenses and business management capacity are enhanced. Accordingly, the power relation and decision making patterns at household level are changing in favor and recognition of women’s rights, capacity and potentials. che mid-term evaluation indicates that close to half of the beneficiary women, 49% are earning more than their husbands. Around two-third (65%) of the beneficiary women that participated in the survey indicated that they are the ones who make decisions about their economic enterprises. Beneficiary women currently have more control and decision making power on many household resources than before.

Finding from the Mid-term Evaluation…..

Complementary to the quantitative findings that indicated increase in women’s decision making 26 score from 2.76 to 2.97 out of 4, analysis of qualitative data revealed that the project has significantly increased women’s decision making power. Women are now generating income for the households and they no more depend on their husbands to provide resources. This has resulted in mutual respect in the household and husbands are increasingly giving much weight to the ideas and opinions of their husbands. The project was also instrumental in enabling women know about their capabilities and believe in themselves that they can engage in productive work. The project helped women to own assets and generate income to the household, which has enabled them to become well acknowledged and respected as they are contributing to family income. The increased income also increased women voice in household decision making. Many women beneficiaries and their husbands that participated in the group discussions also agreed that women are becoming more open and closer to their husbands. Women are increasingly using endearments to call their husbands and one women indicated that she started to initiate sex that she had not ever done before. Women used to call their husbands “Abe” and now they are calling them by their names. Husbands that participated in group discussions also reinforced these assessments and inferences. They stated that the project improved their communication with their spouse, income generation and quality of life. They claim that they have experienced better relation and affection with their wives since the household was supported by the project. According to them, the change positive change in husband and wife relation was made possible due to the wife’s involvement in income generating activities, and avoidance of pressure on the husband to provide everything to the household. To some of them, this was actually the main cause of conflict in the household.

On the control side, 76% of the respondents indicated that they equally participate in agricultural input and output decision making, compared to 18.8% during the baseline survey time.

Women need Knowledge and Skills to Thrive!

Amina Abdullah, 45 and mother of nine children, lives in Boko town of East Hararghe Zone where farmers suffered from unproductive farming system and severe climatic havocs.

Amina’s and her families’ livelihood solely depended on subsistence farming. Feeding herself and her family was a big headache for her. Things started to change for Amina a year ago, when she was targeted to participate in Abdishe initiative. Amina, with other seven women, formed a VSLA called “Tatafata” (interested for working), and got various life changing trainings.

Her savings group members started to save 12 ETB a week. In months to come, she wishes to engage in small businesses and improve her daily income and living condition. In addition to the trainings she got on business and financial management, CARE supported her to learn the skill of producing fuel-efficient stoves together with other promising women in her village.

After the training, her group has made 13 stoves and Amina is one of the women who use this new technology in order to minimize her daily house chores and use her time wisely. “The group will soon start selling the stoves at 100 ETB each and use the profit for further investment,” says Amina.

 Policy and Institutional Level Changes: With the support of Abdishe Project, the

27 woreda sector offices’ gender focal persons are promoting gender-sensitive and disaggregated planning and reporting practices. They sensitize their staff and community leaders on gender issues and mainstreaming. Government sector offices’ and community-based institutions’ services are becoming more gender- sensitive and responsive. The woreda and zonal women and children affairs offices are also capacitated to lead, coordinate and organize the gender mainstreaming agenda and Multi-stakeholder platform in addressing the gender inequality and promote women empowerment. Government sector offices are reaching to community through their sectoral structures and addressing the gender inequality and injustices. Visible changes in terms of reduction of GBV, HTP, early marriage, FGM and polygamy are observed in the project operational area, compared to the neighboring kebeles, as reported by the woreda government partners.

 The project has also worked with role models on men engagement in household domestic activities, in particular cooking. The role models have shared their experience and demonstrate live cooking to the large communities’ gatherings. The discussion is now going into the SAA and VSLA groups and men are now encouraged and motivated in taking responsibility of cooking and child care which have been exclusively tagged as women’s role in the past.

 Recognition of the Community-based Legal Advisors (CBLAs): The CBLAs are teaching communities on various gender issues and social barriers for women economic and social empowerment. They also handle community-level arbitration and judiciary services on gender related matters. In appreciation of their remarkable contribution to fighting and addressing GBV, HTP, polygamy, FGC and unequal decision-making, the kebele administrations have provided office to CBLAs to discharge their social responsibilities in more recognized manner. The CBLAs are well respected and recognized by communities and government structures. Their contributions in the reduction of GBV, harmful traditional practices and gender inequality are well recognized. The Federal Government Ombudsmen visited and discussed with the CBLAs and they recognized the CBLAs as an initiative that is contributing for the reduction of GBV and HTPs.  b. What were some of the key challenges experienced when implementing the strategy and how are/will these is mitigated? Give concrete examples.

 The project has faced some minor challenges related to unavailability of partners’ staff due to other competing priorities which caused delay in implementing activities timely and chronologically. Joint planning and frequent interactions with the local partners are suggested to facilitate timely implementation of activities.

 Delay in translating the SAA manual/guideline in local language and helping field staff to internalize has hampered smooth facilitation of SAA sessions. Agreed to set up a team who has good background in SAA and the subjects/issues treated in SAA manual to work together in local language translation.

 Delay in partnering with MFIs and Financial Service Providers/FSPs and linking up beneficiaries to FSPs to access financial services has slow down women’s exposures 28 to market, financial institutions and their overall economic empowerment process. Though late, agreement is about to sign with MFIs and RuSACCOs.  The recurrent drought and delay and shortage of rain continued to affect the beneficiaries’ aspiration to get out of poverty and become self-reliant. More economic diversification support is required to build their resilience and human security, at large.

To report on this section, take the results and activities from the “Results” and “Activities” sections of the gender strategy, cut and paste them into this section and use them as headers against which to report. An example has been provided below. You can also do this as a table.

4 .Management and Operational Issues a. Did the project/CO encounter any management issues during the reporting period within CARE and among the project partners? If so, please briefly describe the issues and responses taken to address them.

No. b. Did the project/CO encounter any main operational challenges (related to CARE or to external conditions) that affected project implementation? If so, please briefly describe including remedial actions taken.

Yes. It was found difficult to find the right FSPs to link up the project beneficiaries to access financial services. Only one MFI, OCSSCo is operational Fedis wereda. This long- serving MFI is not willing to provide financial services to the ‘high risk’ or ‘the bottom poor’ groups. However, the project management explored all possible options and pushed the negation to the limit. Finally, OCSSCo has agreed and signed MoU to provide financial services to beneficiaries soon.

5. Risk Register a. What risks or challenges around project implementation and implementing the gender strategy has the project faced over the reporting period? How did the project mitigate these risks and what were the results?

With regard to the developmental risks, the engagement of women’s in VSLA and economic activity might increase women’s work load and as a consequence daughters and young females may need to undertake more HH chores. The project takes this as a learning and research agenda to check and respond to the issue in more systematic way. Besides, the project incorporated activities like SAA to engage men in HH chores and promote the labor saving technology for women engaged in the VSLA and livelihood activity. Concrete results on the effectiveness of SAA intervention and the work load issue can be obtained at the end of the research findings. INSERT Research finding briefly

29 The other risk/challenge affecting the project overall performance is the recurrent drought and delay and shortage of rain. This has seriously affected the performance of cereal and honey production. The introduction of improved seed varieties has helped to reduce the damage. Farmers observed that even in the drought situation, the improved seeds performed better than the local seeds. Communities learn and convinced to adapt improved technologies in the future. b. If the risk register for the project requires updating, please indicate the changes here and annex your updated register at the end of this report.

It is not required to update the register risks as they are still valid, reflecting the realities.

6. Budget

Please provide expenditure and variance in the separate financial report template provided to you by Kowsky. A reminder that financial reports are to be submitted at the same time as the narrative report.To be sent separately with analysis of variation. Separate financial report is attached.

To report on this section, take the results and activities from the “Results” and “Activities” sections of the gender strategy, cut and paste them into this section and use them as headers against which to report. An example has been provided below. You can also do this as a table. Section II – Project Performance

Section II – Project Performance

This section provides information on the achievement of Project Outcomes at the immediate and intermediate outcome level of the project, including reporting on reductions or increases in gender equality gaps where relevant.

1. Immediate & Intermediate Outcomes a. Using quantitative and qualitative performance data collected in line with your indicators identified in your PMF, and stemming from your Project Outcome Monitoring Sheet (POMS), provide an evidence-based narrative (including data from all tools used by the project) that describes the progress made during this reporting period on or towards achieving outcome level results. If change is reported, what was the situation before and after the change? Who or what was involved in the change? What strategies were used to bring about the change? Were there specific contexts that affected the reported change? b. Each country is to report against their specific color-coded indicators only. In the event that data or results are not yet available to report for a particular indicator, please indicate as such.

30 Table 2: LINKAGES Results at Outcome Level: Complete the table using data from your Project Outcome Monitoring Sheet (or another sources of data, where applicable), expanding here on the narrative. Please also annex your most up-to-date POMS worksheet with the report.

Result: Number, Variance: on- LINKAGES evidence-based track, behind Outcome Target narrative & target, ahead of Indicators analysis target / why? Ultimate Outcome: Improved livelihood security and resilience for vulnerable women, girls, men and boys in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mali

**Ghana:% of HHs consuming different 45% types of the food groups weekly **Ghana: # and type of assets (physical, financial 2 assets for and social) women and 2 acquired by assets for men women and by men. **Mali: Rate of acute malnutrition 9.54% among children (reduction of (boys/girls) under 10%) age of 5. **Mali: Rate of chronic malnutrition 38.97% prevalence among (reduction of children (boys/girls) 10%) under the age of 5. **Mali: Rate of anaemia among Reduction of children (girls/boys) 15% under the age of 5.* Mali: Rate of anaemia among 1.02% pregnant and (reduction of breastfeeding 15%) women. **Ethiopia: # of 60% 76% of the target The improved seed, CFI beneficiaries beneficiaries are livestock (goat and (women and men) identified as oxen) transfer, and who moved out of graduates who other capacity food support. moved out of food building provisions support, as reported have contributed in the mid-term for higher

**Sex-disaggregated data required 31 evaluation. achievement. Ethiopia: # and This also to be Not yet to see the CSI score=38 types of positive captured in the final result. (M); 39 (W) coping strategies. evaluation. **Bolivia: # of women and men who have increased 774 W / 774 M access to secure income sources. Intermediate Outcome 1: Increased quantity and quality food production and consumption by women, girls, men and boys Ghana:% of 60% processed soya and cowpea consumed by women and girls. Ghana: % of male 70% HH heads encouraging women and girls to consume processed soy and cowpea products. Ghana: % of 55% women groups and individuals increasing production of soy and cowpea for household consumption **Ethiopia: At least 4 new Needs systematic Quantity & diversity types of crops & data collection. This of food produced by increase of 25% NA will be captured women and men in kg/ha for each during the final community crop type evaluation. members. **Ethiopia: 30% increase for As indicated in the Overachieved. The Frequency and women and men MTE, beneficiary project targeted to diversity of food in target HH households eat at increase the groups consumed least six types of diversity of the food by women and men food groups/items, group consumption community including Sorghum, to 5 for the life of members. Maize, Barley, the project. Wheat, Meat and Dairy, and Haricot Bean, compared to only 3 major crops before the introduction of the project. Compared to 2 32 meals before the introduction of the project, beneficiaries took an average of 2.58 meals per day during the month before the survey. There was no significant difference between the number of meals taken by women and men in the household. 64% of the surveyed households eat three meals while 30% of them eat two meals per day. -Decreased The performance is length of food well above the shortage by 3 target. This asset months As per MTE finding, creation and -25% increase in close to 97% the accumulation production of beneficiaries are targets is achieved field crops able to cover six through Women month families’ food Asset Groups **Ethiopia: % of consumption from (WAG), Oxen CFI women and their own income Fattening Groups men accumulating and savings. Over (OFG), Beekeeping productive assets 91% of the Groups (BKG), and that will lead to beneficiary VSLA members graduation from the households have engaged in other safety net program. had enough food to Income Generating feed their family all Activities (IGA). day during the More data will be month before the generated on survey. changes in the production during the final evaluation exercise. Increase in ha of 100% of the target Ahead of the target, land planted HHs for cereal and the targeted HHs with improved vegetable are using both for **Ethiopia: % of crop seeds production are using the HH women and men improved seeds in consumption and cultivated farm recommended way. market as well. areas planted with In the last 2 and half recommended years, HHs used varieties of seeds. improved seed and livestock increased from 6.4% to 15%.

33 **Mali: % boys / 32.5% girls aged 0-5 months exclusively breastfed. (compared) **Mali: % of men 77.8% and women in each household having acceptable or good food consumption profile Mali: % pregnant 76% and lactating women having a good diet diversity score **Mali : % 80% women/men having a good diet diversity score (compared) Intermediate Outcome 2: Women, men, and male and female youth are better able to manage and control their economic enterprises **Ghana: Net profit 40% for accruing for production women, men and 60% for girls at every level marketing of the soya and CP value chain. **Ghana:Ration of 6:4 women and men controlling the different levels of the VCs. Ghana: # of out-of- 200 school girls participating in and benefitting from soy and CP VCs. **Ethiopia: % of 20% 272 HH support Progress, well women and men through OFG, 160 ahead of the target. engaged on HHs supported Significant number economic through BK of women and men enterprises. enterprise, 3493 are supported to HHs supported engage in the new through goat or expanding enterprises and 284 existing VSLA members in enterprises. petty trading of

34 than 62% of the targeted HHs are supported in one or combinations of asset and economic building activities & enterprises. 20% 49.5% are engaged Progress, well in economic ahead of the target. enterprises. Almost all economic enterprises were established by the support of the project. Beneficiary **Ethiopia: % of households now women and men earn an average of in target HHs who 304 Birr per month have accumulated from their micro more assets from business. On economic average, households enterprises. earn a monthly income of Birr 747.82 (which would be close to Birr 9,000 per year) during the past 12 months before the mid-term evaluation. 20% Around two-third Progress, well (65%) of the ahead of target. beneficiary women that participated in the survey indicated that they are the **Ethiopia: % of ones who make women and men decisions about their who control HH’s economic economic enterprises. enterprise. Beneficiary women currently have more control and decision making power on many household resources than before. Mali : % of 20% increased income for women

35 Mali : % of 20% increased income for men Mali: % of 50% increased income for men compared to women Mali: % of VSLA 60% women with daily income of ≥ $1.25. Bolivia: increase in What is the profitability of target? SMEs. **Bolivia: % of 50% W men and women 50% M who have increased income. Bolivia: # SMEs 18 SMEs that have a mechanism for equitable distribution of profits. Intermediate Outcome 3: The policy and regulatory environment supports poor women’s and men’s more equal control of agricultural resources and market processes. Ghana: # of 14 women led platforms that are influencing A/C and D/A decision- making processes. Ghana: # and 3 decisions per types of A/C district decisions and actions that respond to and support community- driven women-led platforms in CP and soy production and processing. **Ethiopia: % of 20% Although it is found Government target women and so difficult to show institutions that men who report progress received the supportive and quantitatively, training and follow gender relevant analysis of up such as Office of policy and qualitative data justice, police, regulatory showed encouraging health, agriculture, environment for progress in this women affairs, more equal control regard. The project education etc and

36 of agricultural has provided community resources and training and institutions are market processes supported providing improved community and gender equitable government services. More institution (Office of evidence to come justice, police, from final health, agriculture, evaluation. women affairs, education etc) to provide more gender-equitable service.

Reflections of the community indicate that there is a general changes on the recognition and supports to women from the various community and government institutions. **Ethiopia: % of 20% target women and men who report Same as above. Same as above. improved level of government and community institution’s responsiveness to gender inequalities. Reduced barriers to equal control of agricultural resources and market processes among women and men. **Mali: % of women 60% and men who participated in elaboration of villages’ food security conventions (compared).

37 Bolivia: # of public 4 policies implemented that promote local economic development. Bolivia: # of 8 municipal strategies that promote local economic development / support competitiveness of SMEs. Immediate Outcome 1.1: Decreased gap between men’s and women’s control over resources necessary to ensure sustainable food production Ghana: % women- 30% led groups that were procured extension goods and services at each level of the soy and CP VC. Ghana: % of 50% extension agents supporting women and girls with extension services and technology. 20% As per the MTE, 76% Achieved, well of the respondents ahead of the target Ethiopia: % of indicated that they women and men equally participate who have control in agricultural input over core and output decision agricultural making, compared resources of the to 18.8% during the HH. baseline data collection time. Immediate Outcome 1.2: W/M/B/G more equally consume nutritious food Ghana: # of 5 recipes. **Ethiopia: % of 30% As per the MTE Progress on track. women and men findings, 50% of the The finding who reported more women eat their indicates that even equal consumption food with their women are taking of nutritious and husband and relatively higher adequate food children; 45% of meal than men. among men and them eat with their women children, and only 2% of them

38 indicated that they eat alone. If measured by the number of meals, men consume 2.53 meals while women do 2.57 meals per day. Immediate Outcome 2.1: W/M/B/G have increased and more equal access to the knowledge, skills and services needed to strengthen and diversify their economic activities 30% Proportion of women The Project Ethiopia: % of who reported equal achieved, well women who have access to the ahead of the target. access to the knowledge, skills knowledge, skills and services and services increased from needed to 25.76% to 41.76%, strengthen and from the diversify their baselinebaseline economic activities. data collection time. **Mali: % 50% men/women having knowledge in nutrition for pregnant/breastfeed ing women (compared). **Mali: % 50% women/men having knowledge in good nutritional practices (compared). **Bolivia: # of 45 W women and men 45 M that have increased management capacity and competitiveness. Immediate Outcome 2.2: Decreased gap between men’s and women’s access to and control over a variety of processes in select value chains 20% in production **Ghana: % of stage/assets women and men 80% in rural owning key stages markets/ assets and assets of VC. 10% in larger markets/assets

39 **Ghana: % of 50% women and men equally making decision on the use of HH income. 20% Over 1000 women We need to wait for and men are trained sometimes to get on the selected concrete evidence, **Ethiopia: % of three VC as the value-chain men and women commodities support started reporting equal (Groundnut, ox late, due to late access to and fattening and bee assessment and control over a hiving) and on delayed linkage variety processes in broader concepts with MFIs. More selected value and approach. systematic and chains. comprehensive support is planned to be delivered in the coming periods. **Ethiopia: % of 20% men and women engaged in controlling a variety Same as above. Same as above. processes in selected value chains **Mali: % 50% women/men having access to productive assets: land, technology, information. **Mali: % of 50% women compared to men having access to productive assets: land, technology, information. **Mali: % increase 25% in yield per hectare for basic crops on women/men land (compared). **Bolivia: # of men 380 W and women who 380 M have increased their participation in the value chain.

40 **Bolivia: # of 380 W women and men 380 M who have increased capacity to access key spaces for decision-making. **Bolivia: # of 160 W women and men 160 M who have improved their position and skills in SMEs. **Bolivia: % of 60% W women and men 60% M who recognize the contribution of women’s roles in the value chain. Immediate Outcome 2.3: Collectives and Business Development Service Providers (BDSP) provide more equally relevant support to male and female owned enterprises 30% (Agnes, can Ghana:% of you please individual women double-check and groups making this indicator the appropriate with Tomas and decisions in VC the project PMF?) Ghana: # of 4 contracts successfully negotiated / implemented between district, Producer Orgs and VSLAs 4 types of They primarily support provide market As the VC support **Ethiopia: # of 7 types of information and packages are not Coop/SMEs by type interventions linkage, inputs yet fully rolled out, of support to provision, credit and progresses on male/female clients business skills linkage with (compared by sex). training supports. Coop/SMEs is still No formal linkage low. happened. **Ethiopia: % of 75% W The project has More evidence to female/male clients 75% M provided training to come from the final reporting receiving community and evaluation. gender equal relevant services from government sector Coop/SMEs offices. No formal linkage materials with Coop/SMEs

41 during this reporting period. More to come in the coming quarters. Immediate Outcome 3.1: Local value chain (VC) actors (women’s groups, collectives, suppliers) have increased role in the formulation of policies and regulations that enhance men’s and women’s food, nutrition & income security Ghana: # of plans 2 and budgets of 2 D/As reflect the different needs of men and women. 1 – producers Ghana: presence of 1 – an operational marketing/proce guideline for soy ssing and CP VCs. 7 This intervention is It is planned to **Ethiopia: # of still at a very initial provide more VC actors reporting stage and difficult to systematic and increased role in report results. The comprehensive formulation of project is providing value-chain relevant policies training and development and regulations sensitizing selected support to disaggregated and communities and beneficiaries and compared by sex. relevant actors in actors in the the VC. coming quarters. **Ethiopia: Types 2 of new roles assumed /contributions in the formulation of Same as above Same as above. relevant policies and regulations by VC actors disaggregated and compared by sex. Bolivia: % of 20% municipal gender- sensitive budget assigned to local economic development. Immediate Outcome 3.2: Local government structures have increased capacity to effectively and transparently engage different stakeholders in development planning and implementation processes. Ghana: # of 2 functional linkages among VC actors linked to District and Regional

42 Committees. Ethiopia: # and 6 planning & 4 planning and The scheduled type of relevant monitoring review sessions are monitoring visits & participatory events events organized with the other coordination organized by the wereda and zonal meetings have local government. government offices. been postponed due to tight schedule of government partners during the election time. **Ethiopia: % of 40% Findings from the Very good progress. female/male MTE regular project Needs further beneficiaries monitoring mission systematized reporting indicate that satisfaction satisfactory beneficiaries are measurement /meaningful very much satisfied survey. engagement/partici with the projects pation in support and development responsiveness. planning and owever, the project implementation. has not yet done service satisfaction survey. Mali : % of local 4 government who can identify key gender issues in nutrition and food security Mali : % local 4 government plans that include activities to address gender issues on F&N.S **Mali : % 50% women/men participating in community food security planning processes (compared) Bolivia: # of 4 private/public negotiation / social learning spaces promoting local economic development. **Bolivia: % of 16 W

43 women and men 16 M participating and proposing concerted action in these key decision- making spaces. Bolivia: # of public 4 policy projects on local economic development that promote SME innovation that rely on public resources and co-investment.

c. Please explain unexpected results, if any.

The following are some of the ‘unintended outcomes’ of the project, although some of them could be categorized as intended considering the broader terms used in the project objectives such as livelihood improvement and women empowerment.

 Decline in migration. Migration of community members to other places such as Harar town has declined as the project created opportunities for them to have access to financial resources and engage in income generating activities. There was also a case where a woman who had left her kebele in Fedis Woreda for Babile looking for better lives had to come back to Fedis when she heard of the opportunities created by the Abdishe project.

 Reduced polygamy. Polygamy has declined as women become empowered to claim their rights and their husbands found them clean. Many husbands consulted by the evaluation team stated that they are no more interested in looking for other wives as the quality they used to seek is now available at home. Some husbands and their wives even dared to say that polygamy is no more their problem.

 Social change and increased access to social services. Many beneficiaries indicated that their livelihood has improved much and, as a result, they are sending their children to school without worrying much about school materials. Women and their families are better off now and they are sending their children to school, have access to medical care, and so on Social change is also happening not only in the beneficiaries but also beyond the project. Some VSLAs are being established in areas outside the project kebeles. The project is also believed to have contributed to improvements in sanitation of children and women.

 Increase involvement of men in household chores: Although it is difficult to consider this an unintended outcome, the fact that men are increasingly involved in household chores such as fetching water, chopping fire wood and taking care of children was a widely shared opinion of both women and men consulted for the evaluation. Involvement of men in household chores has never been the case before

44 two years and even pregnant women had to fetch water for the household. That trend is now changing and fetching water and chopping firewood are now being done by men, sometimes in shifts.

 Dealt with HTPs. The project contributed to dealing with harmful traditional practices (HTPS). It created awareness and helped the community abandon some HTPS such as food taboos for pregnant women and curing Marasmus or Edma by burning. The community used to believe that pregnant women that eats eggs, milk, meat, mango and potatoes will make the child too big to be delivered. As a result, pregnant women used to refrain from eating such food. The project helped them to learn about balanced diet. “We used to sell our gold and buy useless biscuits for our children (corn being the gold). We now know better and feed our children balanced diet,” women beneficiaries that participated in one group discussion said. d. Are there any annual targets which have not been met? Please explain how this affects the project in terms of variance, revised targets, timeline and impact on results.

Lack of strong and right MFIs. There is only one MFI, a branch of OCSCo, in the woreda, which also has limited capacity to provide financial services to CFI women. As a result, the project was not able to find the right MFI partner to transfer the guarantee fund so that beneficiaries could have access to loan and other financial services. Besides, although VSLAs can be an entry point for CARE, they may not be able to provide access to full financial services demanded by CFI households. Nevertheless, the project was not able to establish the necessary linkages between MFIs and VSLAs needed to to have access to a range of financial services. e. Are there any other results or learning you would like to share relating to other CO programs/projects, which pertains to this project and/or are implemented in the same area, affecting the results of this project?

 The legal posts that were established in few kebeles by the Woreda Justice Office with the project support was a best practices to address violence. In these posts there are community legal representatives who work closely with the Justice office in identifying and informing violence cases. These community representatives are women and have received training on HTPs, women rights and others. The Federal government representatives also visited this best practice and recommended sharing it with other woredas.

 The seed multiplication with some progressive farmers groups was a best practice and lesson that worked well in ensuring that farmers can do the multiplication without the need to travel to remote places.

 The participatory and transparent way of project implementation and monitoring at zonal, woreda and community level created ownership and trust to smoothly implement the project. Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) initiated through the project have proven to be an innovative and effective means of enhancing direct participation by a diverse range of interest groups, including private processors /traders, government officials, research institutions, and project beneficiaries.

45  Adoption of a community-based approach by supporting and capacitating community institutions such as Community Based Legal Advisors (CBLA), Village Saving and Lending Association (VSLA), Women Asset Building Group (WAG) and Oxen fattening Group (OFG) were considered exemplary in addressing major socio-economic concerns of the community and sustaining the ongoing services and results.

 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) promoted by the project have proven to be an excellent foundation and entry point so as to increase awareness of savings, financial literacy, and capacity for income generation and asset accumulation. In addition to increasing financial and human capital at the individual and household levels, VSLAs have contributed to enhanced social capital of Abdishe beneficiaries at the community level. The integration of the WAG and OFG with the establishment of VSLAshave also contributed much to the effective and efficient utilization of human and other resources of the project in addition to strengthening the members of the group.

2. Sustainability a. How working has on gender issues increased project sustainability?

One of the underlying causes of poverty identified was gender inequality. Unless the project addresses the underlying causes, it is very difficult to bring an everlasting change in the lives of the poor people. Women empowerment is at the center of the Abdishe project. Many stakeholders considered the project’s approach to address community economic and social issues by targeting women is a best practice that needs to be replicated elsewhere. Empowering women addresses household’s food security and livelihood. Through establishment of savings, accessing credit, creation of income generating opportunities, and assumption of leadership roles in VSLAs and Producer Marketing Groups/PMG, Women Asset Building Groups/WAGs, Oxen Fattening Groups/OFGs, and Beekeeping Groups or BKGs), female beneficiaries have clearly become more empowered and significantly contributing to food and livelihood security at household and community level. b. What other achievements or project implementation activities are contributing to sustainability?

Joint planning with local government/partners, assigning of the woreda focal person from each of the relevant sector office, establishing the purchase committee at woreda level, local government/partners’ leadership in the implementation and monitoring of the project (the project staffs are playing the facilitation role) are fundamental steps for ensuring sustainability of the project impacts. Besides, working with the community members selected from the larger community and providing them with an intensive individual and institutional capacity building training are also important actions for sustainability. The established community-based organizations and the revolving fund mechanism developed for the transfer of assets at community level are the foundations to sustain the provision of services to the beneficiaries after the project phase-out.

46 3. Implementing Partners a. Describe the positive aspects of the project’s relationships with its key partners. Give concrete examples on these partnerships have directly contributed to the implementation progress and results.

The key partners that the project identified and working with are the government sector offices of Fedis woreda (agriculture, women affairs, justice and police, health), the Fedis agricultural research Center, and Haramaya University. The government sector offices are the lead implementing partners, engaged from the very beginning stages of beneficiary targeting, delivering project activities, provision of technical support and monitoring exercise. The project staff are mainly playing facilitation and capacity building roles.

The Fedis Agricultural research Center is one of the big institutions found in the operational area and they are providing improved and adaptable cereal seeds to the project operational area. It is also promoting some technologies that can reduce women work load like the fuel efficient stoves and ground nut shelling machine. The project is getting these technologies from this research centre by signing agreement in addition to the technical and capacity building support to the woreda experts and selected community members.

The Haremaya University, through the integrated seed sector development (ISSD) program entered an agreement with the project to scale up and support the seed multiplication activity at community’ level. They provided technical support, capacity building training and improved seed variety that can adapt to the operational area. The ISSD is also providing seed quality certification. The project beneficiaries are benefiting from seed certification.

The Abdishe project has tremendously gained from excellent partnership with government at all levels and community structure. The project promotes participatory approach and transparency which help to gain trust and confidence from its partners. The local counterparts of signatory offices; Agricultural Development, Economic and Finance Development, Women and Children Affairs have been participating in all stages of the project. Moreover, Action and Technical committees are organized at each Woreda that facilitated smooth implementation of the project. Members of technical committee are focal persons assigned by the respective offices. b. Describe any challenges faced in establishing and/or managing relationships with partners, and how these were/will be mitigated.

Lack of strong and interested MFIs. There is only one MFI, a branch of OCSCo, in the woreda, which also has limited capacity to provide financial services to CFI women. As a result, the project was not able to find the right MFI partner to transfer the guarantee fund so that beneficiaries could have access to loan and other financial services. Besides, although VSLAs can be an entry point for CARE, they may not be able to provide access to full financial services demanded by CFI households. Nevertheless,

47 the project was not able to establish the necessary linkages between MFIs and VSLAs needed to to have access to a range of financial services. c. Report how the partners contributed to or hindered – gender equality and women’s empowerment results for this project during the reporting period. Give concrete examples.

The project has not faced any major challenges from its partners. Rather, benefited and enjoyed from their commitment, ownership and leadership. The overa achievement of many of the project targets during this fiscal year is exemplary indicator for having excellent partnership with community and project partners. Section III – Lessons Learned / Way Forward

This section identifies any lessons learned during the reporting period and provides recommendations and proposed significant changes, if any, for review by CARE Canada.

1. Lessons Learned

 The community based institutions evolved as a result of Abdishe project interventions such as Community Based Legal Advisors (CBLA), Village Saving and Lending Association (VSLA), Women Asset Building Group (WAG) and the Oxen fattening Group (OFG) are exemplary initiative addressing key socio-economic concerns of the community.

 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) promoted by the project have proven to be an excellent foundation to increase awareness of savings, financial literacy, and capacity for income generation and asset accumulation. In addition to providing economic benefit at the individual and household levels, VSLAs are contributing to enhance social capital and cohesion.

 Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) initiated through the project Project have proven to be an innovative and effective means of enhancing direct participation by a diverse range of interests including private processors /traders, micro-finance institutions, government officials, research institutions, and project beneficiaries.

 Through establishment of savings, accessing credit, creation of income generating opportunities, and assumption of leadership roles in VSLAS and Producer Marketing Groups (WAGs and OFGs, BKGs), female beneficiaries have clearly become empowered and able to manage enterprise.

 It is important to engage local partners from the very beginning and in all stages of the project, from project design, implementation to monitoring and evaluation to facilitate smooth implementation of the project and ensure sustainability.

 Designing and developing guiding manual on the implementation modalities of new interventions from the early stage of the project is so important to facilitate smooth and timely implementation of project activities.  Community based asset transfer mechanism is well accepted, enhanced accountability, ensured transparency and ownership by the community. 48  Livestock insurance system minimized risks of repayment default, and strengthened sustainability of transfer modalities

2. Proposed Changes

No major changes in the plan.

3. Plans for the Next Period

Refer the attached year4 annual plan with quarter breakdown of activities.

49 Appendix

Changes on Decreasing Gap on Access and Control over resources between Women and Men

Decreased Gap on Decreased Gap on Item Access Control

Oxen

Fertilizer

Seeds

Land

Extension 5.9% 5.3%

Sheep

Goat 26.5% 14.7%

Cow

Camel

Chat

50 Round Two GUI Analysis July Round one GUI Analysis December 2013 2014

Access Gap Control Gap Access Gap Control Gap on on on on Wom Acce Wom Contr Wome Acces Wome Contro Item en Men ss en Men ol Item n Men s n Men l

22.9 54.7 31.8 55.9 50.6 54.7 31.8 55.9 50.6 Oxen Oxen % % % 5.3% % % 22.9% % % 5.3% % %

Fertiliz 21.8 85.3 63.5 10.6 85.9 75.3 Fertili 85.3 63.5 85.9 75.3 er % % % % % % zer 21.8% % % 10.6% % %

35.9 87.6 51.8 12.4 88.2 75.9 87.6 51.8 88.2 75.9 Seeds Seeds % % % % % % 35.9% % % 12.4% % %

27.6 88.2 60.6 11.8 88.8 77.1 88.8 61.2 89.4 77.6 Land Land % % % % % % 27.6% % % 11.8% % %

50.6 72.4 21.8 21.2 71.8 50.6 Extens 72.4 15.9 71.8 45.3 Extens. % % % % % % . 56.5% % % 26.5% % %

13.5 14.7 11.8 13.5 14.7 11.8 Sheep Sheep 7.1% % 6.5% 2.9% % % 7.1% % 6.5% 2.9% % %

24.7 48.2 23.5 12.4 50.0 37.6 48.2 50.6 22.9 Goat Goat % % % % % % 51.2% % -2.9% 27.6% % %

32.4 35.9 11.2 38.2 27.1 35.9 38.2 27.1 Cow Cow % % 3.5% % % % 32.4% % 3.5% 11.2% % %

3.5 4.1 Camel Camel 1.2% % 2.4% 1.2% 4.1% 2.9% 1.2% 3.5% 2.4% 1.2% % 2.9%

20.0 62.9 42.9 10.6 62.9 52.4 62.9 42.4 62.9 52.4 Chat Chat % % % % % % 20.6% % % 10.6% % %

51