PROJECT

Improving the Economic and Social Recovery for Returnee Women and Youths at Risk in Bangui, Bossangoa and Bambari

FINAL REPORT

March 2016 to September 2017

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Acronyms ...... 1 Part I Executive Summary...... 2 Part II Output ...... 3 Output 1: 1,300 beneficiaries have started a sustainable economic activity and their financial reintegration has been completed ...... 5 Activity 1.1: Vocational training (including apprenticeships) for 250 women and 250 youth (50% girls) + 800 beneficiaries from the communities ...... 5 Activity 1.2: Provision of cash grants, including to Village-Based Savings and Credit Associations (VSLA)/ Rotating savings and credit association (Tontines) ...... 8 Activity 1.3: Allocation of IGA kits to 500 women and youths (50% women)...... 12 Activity 1.4: Business management training for 800 beneficiaries, of whom 50% are women ...... 14 Output 2: Women and youth at risk are socially and psychologically rehabilitated ...... 15 Activity 2.1: Provision of medical and psychological care to victims of gender-based violence ...... 15 Activity 2.2: Supporting the establishment of community centres for social cohesion, literacy training and basic education ...... 17 Activity 2.3: Implementation of awareness campaigns ...... 19 Part III Viability and Ownership ...... 21 Part IV Project Management ...... 22 Part V Challenges and Lessons Learned ...... 23 Part VI Visibility...... 25

Tables and Figures

Table 1 Results Framework ...... 3

Table 2 Beneficiaries by gender and district of residence in Bangui ...... 6

Table 3 Number of trainees by gender and category in Bambari ...... 7

Table 4 Distribution of participants by workshop and vocational track in Bambari ...... 7

Table 5 Number of participants in vocational training in Bossangoa ...... 8

Table 6 Projects submitted by associations by activity sector and project cost in Bangui ...... 8

Table 7 Groups that received grants to carry out IGAs in Bambari ...... 10

Table 8 List of subsidized groups and associations in Bossangoa ...... 10

Table 9 Distribution of IGA kits in Bangui ...... 12

Table 10 Distribution of people impacted by the presentation of IGA kits in Bambari ...... 13

Table 11 Distribution of IGA kits to the beneficiaries in Bossangoa ...... 13

Table 12 Distribution of people impacted by business management training in Bambari ...... 14

Table 13 Distribution of GBV cases by gender and age, April-August 2017 in Bambari ...... 16

Table 14 Services provided to survivors of gender-based violence, April-August 2017 in Bambari ...... 16

Table 15 List of community-based centres in Bossangoa ...... 18

Table 16 People reached by awareness-raising campaigns to combat GBV and human rights violations in Bambari ...... 20

Table 17 List of awareness-raising campaigns in Bossangoa ...... 21

Figure 1 Intervention map of the project ...... 5

Figure 2 Beneficiaries by type of vocational training desired in Bangui ...... 6

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AB Anti-Balaka AFJC Association of Women Lawyers of Central Africa AJPOP OAUKA Prefectoral Youth Association for Peace ARAT-RSE Support for the Redeployment of the Territorial Administration and Socio- Economic Revitalization AVEC Village Savings and Loans Association CTRO Ouaka Regional Transport Company DIM Direct Implemented Modality FPRC Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic GBV Gender Based Violence IDPs Internally Displaced Persons IGA Income-Generating Activity JPN National Youth Pioneers JRS Jesuit Relief Services MINUSCA United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

MPC Patriots for the Renewal of the Central African Republic

MSSC Livelihood and Community Stabilization NGO Non-Governmental Organization OFCA Organization of Central African Women POSIB Operational Plan for Immediate Stabilization of the Town of Bambari PRESCO Support to the stabilization of livelihoods, community protection and community resiliency in conflict-affected zones of the Central African Republic RCPCA National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan for the Central African Republic (RCPCA) RESA Support to the Restoration of the State and Economic Recovery in Bambari THIMO High-intensive Labour force UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities

UNS United Nations System UPC Union for Peace in Central Africa USAID United States Agency for International Development

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Part I Executive Summary The project “Improving the Economic and Social Recovery for Returnee Women and Youths at Risk in Bangui, Bossangoa and Bambari” was designed to supplement existing responses to the challenges involved in ensuring rapid household economic recovery and stabilizing livelihoods in conflict-affected communities. These challenges are being addressed by the Government of the Central African Republic with the support of UNDP, through its programme for the recovery and stabilization of conflict-affected communities in CAR (PRESCO/CPR). Funded by the Government of Japan for eight hundred and fifty thousand US dollars (US$850,000), the project aims to “contribute to the consolidation of peace and social stability by providing livelihoods, particularly for young men and young women in conflict- affected communities of CAR.” The project was implemented over a period of eighteen (18) months through the UNDP’s Direct Implementation Modality (DIM).

During the period covered by the present report, under Output 1: I) "1,300 beneficiaries have improved their business management skills in order to recover their gainful occupations and have acquired income-generating activities through the provision of grants or start-up kits". The implementation of project activities enabled a total of 5,828 people to benefit from support for sustainable income- generating activities, thus exceeding the planned target of 1,300 by more than 100%. The results achieved for each project activity are as follows: Activity 1.1- Vocational training courses took place with the participation of 381 beneficiaries. Activity 1.2- Cash grants and IGA Kits were provided to 5,438 beneficiaries (1,771 men and 3,667 women) through the 103 associations to which the beneficiaries belonged. Activity 1.3- After vocational training or apprenticeship, IGA and start-up kits were given to 1,304 beneficiaries (412 men and 892 women). Activity 1.4- Training sessions in business management were organized for association management and the proper use of subsidized grants. In total, 1,961 beneficiaries (609 men and 1,352 women) participated in the training sessions.

Under Output 2: “Women and youths at risk are to be socially and psychologically rehabilitated in Bangui, Bossangoa and Bambari, the three project target zones”. The project provided psychological and medical services to a total of 280 women survivors of general and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Activity 2.1- In the town of Bambari and neighbouring localities, 26 men, 220 women, 30 girls and 4 boys received medical services and psychological care. The project also carried out awareness-raising campaigns on the concept of providing medical and psycho-social care, reaching 2,000 people. Activity 2.2- 20 community literacy groups and 3 community centres received support for their daily operations in the form of school furniture and literacy kits. Literacy training was carried out, with 1,282 people (847 women and 435 men) taking part in the training sessions. The same number of beneficiaries also received literacy kits so as to be able to continue learning. Lastly, Activity 2.3- Other awareness-raising campaigns were organized to promote social cohesion and reconciliation, etc., reaching a total of 32,815 people (13,698 men and 19,117 women) notably in Bambari and Bossangoa.

Although the project objectives were met, during the implementation period the volatile security situation forced UNDP management to seek and obtain a six (6) month no cost extension and to make internal adjustments. UNDP managed the implementation of project activities and opted for a participatory and contractual approach with the project's implementing partners. This approach ensured that support provided to the population would be effective, particularly in returnee communities.

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Part II Output The project, “Improving the Economic and Social Recovery for Returnee Women and Youths at Risk in Bangui, Bossangoa and Bambari”, focusses on two main expected outputs: 1) 1,300 beneficiaries have started a sustainable economic activity and their financial reintegration has been completed 2) Women and youth at risk have been socially and psychologically rehabilitated. These outputs are presented in the following tables: Table 1 Results Framework

Product Objectively Verifiable Indicators Baseline 0 Number of people actually engaged in 1 Target 1,300 carrying out an income-generating activity Achievement 5,828 Activities Objectively Verifiable Indicators Vocational training (including Number of beneficiaries in vocational training apprenticeships) for 250 women and 250 Baseline 0 1.1 young people (50% girls) + 800 beneficiaries Target 1,300 from the communities Achievement 381 Number of groups which have received grants Baseline 0 Provision of cash grants, including to Village- Target 10 viable activities Based Savings and Credit Associations (VSLA)/ Achievement 103 1.2 Revolving Credit and Savings Associations Number of beneficiaries impacted by cash grants (Tontines) Baseline 0 Target 5,000 Achievement 5,438 Number of beneficiaries allocated IGA kits Allocation of IGA kits and professional training Baseline 0 1.3 kits to 500 women and youth (50% girls) Target 500 Achievement 1,304 Number of beneficiaries trained in business management Business management training for 800 1.4 Baseline 0 beneficiaries (50% women) Target 800 Achievement 1961 Output 2: Women and youth at risk are socially and psychologically rehabilitated Product Objectively Verifiable Indicators Baseline 0 Number of community centres built or 1 Target 1 rehabilitated Achievement 0 Number of previously rehabilitated Baseline 0 2 community centres which were used for the Target 3 project Achievement 20 3 Baseline 0

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300 (Not defined in the Number of victims of sexual and gender- Target based violence treated and reintegrated into ProDoc) their communities Achievement 280 Activities Objectively Verifiable Indicators Number of people who have received psychological and medical care Baseline 0 300 (Not defined in the Target ProDoc) Provision of psychological and medical care to 2.1 Achievement 280 victims of gender-based violence Number of people reached by awareness-raising on medical and psycho-social care for victims Baseline 0 2,000 (Not defined in the Target ProDoc) Achievement 2,000 Number of learning centres provided with literacy kits Baseline 0 Target 3 Support for the establishment of community Achievement 20 2.2 centres for social cohesion, literacy training and basic education Number of people provided with literacy kits Baseline 0 1,000 (Not defined in the Target ProDoc) Achievement 1087 Number of awareness campaigns organized Baseline 0 (Not defined in the Target ProDoc) Achievement 54 2.3 Implementation of awareness campaigns Number of people reached Baseline 0 30,000 (Not defined in the Target ProDoc) Achievement 32,815

Activities were carried out separately in the three towns to reflect the actual situation on the ground (see the intervention map below).

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Figure 1 Intervention map of the project

Intervention zone of the project

Output 1: 1,300 beneficiaries have started a sustainable economic activity and their financial reintegration has been completed

The project successfully exceeded its set target of 1,300 people, reaching a final total of 5,790 beneficiaries with a sustainable economic activity. This success is due to the awareness-raising that took place concerning the project's strategy of supporting THIMO-based groups as well as those existing groups and associations that needed to be strengthened or revitalized.

During the period covered by the present report, the four (4) activities comprising Product 1 were planned and implemented.

Activity 1.1: Vocational training (including apprenticeships) for 250 women and 250 youth (50% girls) + 800 beneficiaries from the communities

By the end of the implementation period, for all project sites, a total of 381 people (86 men and 295 women, including youth) had been able to access vocational training or apprenticeships, instead of the 1,300 people expected. The difference of 919 may be attributed to several factors: firstly, a lack of interest in vocational training on the part of the beneficiaries because they feel it takes too long in comparison with THIMO, which provides them with immediate income; secondly, the lack of functioning training support infrastructure; lastly, the high rate of illiteracy among the population in the three areas. The project therefore preferred to target its support to groups, in particular in the form of cash grants, the provision of IGA kits or business management training sessions of more than two days. The outputs obtained at each site are as follows:

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In Bangui, the project targeted the beneficiaries of the activities carried out jointly by the international community (MINUSCA, the European Union, the Embassy of France, UNDP, etc.) within the framework of the Non-Aggression Pact between Anti-Balaka militias and members of the Muslim self-defence groups in Bangui, with UNDP providing support for social cohesion and socio-economic reintegration. Once the target beneficiary group had been defined, the vocational training and apprenticeship needs of women and young people had to be identified, as well as the needs and capacities of the groups and associations in the two districts in terms of creating and managing income-generating activities. To this end, the Bangui project team conducted a needs assessment in September 2016, and was able to determine the characteristics of 125 individual beneficiaries:

Table 2 Beneficiaries by gender and district of residence in Bangui

District (Quartier) Men Women Total

Ombella Mpoko, Bimbo3, Boeing 67 25 92

Bangui (3rd District, KM5) 17 15 32

Bangui (3rd District, Fatima) 1 0 1

Total 85 40 125

Figure 2 Beneficiaries by type of vocational training desired in Bangui

Marketing techniques 12% Computer maintenance 24% Sewing Project Management 12% Carpentry Molding 1% Motorcycle Mechanics 1% Automotive electricity 1% Building electricity 1% Baking 3% 14% Metalwork 3% Flooring 3% 4% Plumbing 4% Other 5% 12% No reply

However, the vocational training courses could not be held because the three (3) national NGOs that were to carry them out with the group of selected beneficiaries had not undergone a micro-assessment to evaluate the level of risk inherent in their potential partnership.

In Bambari: Initially, this activity was to be implemented in vocational training centres. In Bambari, however, the National Youth Pioneers (JPN) training centre was being occupied by members of the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and their families. As a result, project work was refocused onto apprenticeship, and the project activities were implemented by Mercy Corps, the project partner.

Through a participatory, community-based approach, the assessment of the capacities of the master craftsmen, and their willingness and ability to integrate potential trainees into their workshops, the

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partner identified and facilitated the placement of 281 people (239 women, including 121 girls (43%) and 42 men, including 26 young men (42%)) in seven (7) apprenticeship tracks.

Table 3 Number of trainees by gender and category in Bambari

Gender

Women % Men % Total %

Youth 121 43% 26 9% 147 52% Category Adults 118 42% 16 6% 134 48%

Total 239 85% 42 15% 281 100%

The vocational tracks offered included welding, baking, hairdressing, carpentry, soap-making, catering, sewing and knitting. At the end of the eight-week training period, every trainee received a start-up kit. The master craftsmen were provided with material support to enable them to offer quality supervision.

Table 4 Distribution of participants by workshop and vocational track in Bambari

Vocational Track Name of Workshop Men Women Total Number of Trainees Sewing ALTERNATIVE SITE 1 22 86 Sewing WANGAI 3 12 1- Sewing Sewing BORNO 4 26 Sewing YACOUB (knitting) 0 18 Bakery ENI 6 29 61 2- Baking Bakery BECON 0 26 Soap-making SICA 0 34 55 3- Soap-making Soap-making KIDJIGRA 1 20 4- Catering Restaurant SICA 0 23 23 Hairdressing BETA 0 13 28 5- Hairdressing Hairdressing CTRO 0 15 6- Welding Welding BAMBARI 14 0 14 7- Carpentry Carpentry BAMBARI 13 1 14 TOTAL 42 239 281

Training session on sewing in Bambari

Training session on welding in Bambari

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In Bossangoa: Activities reached beneficiaries in the town of Bossangoa and its surrounding area. Over a period of five (5) months, 100 people received vocational and apprenticeship training, including 60 women/young girls and 40 boys, in the following vocational tracks:

Table 5 Number of participants in vocational training in Bossangoa

Vocational Track Name of Workshop Men Women Total Number of Trainees Sewing BE OKO MEMBRE 04 46 50 1- Sewing Sewing LONDO NA KWA 0 04 04 2 -Hospitality St. Joseph Training Centre 0 06 06 3- Carpentry St. Joseph Training Centre 15 0 15 4- General Mechanics St. Joseph Training Centre 25 0 25 TOTAL 44 56 100

To achieve this output, partnership and service agreements were drawn up with the three vocational training centres in Bossangoa for the aforementioned vocational training courses. The UNDP project office, in partnership with three national partners -- EMERGENCIA, the Association of Evangelical Women of Bossangoa (AFEB) and the Association of Women Lawyers of Central Africa (AFJC) -- identified and selected potential trainees based on a number of criteria concerning their vulnerability.

Activity 1.2: Provision of cash grants, including to Village-Based Savings and Credit Associations (VSLA)/ Rotating savings and credit association (Tontines)

The implementation of this activity enabled IGA groups (hereafter “groups”) or Village-Based Savings and Credit Associations (VSLAs) to receive grants in order to carry out their collective economic activities and to build their capacity to make tontine funding available to their members to finance their own activities. Thanks to this activity, 99 associations, with a total of 5,438 beneficiaries, obtained grants and were able to start up their IGAs in the three project locations. The outputs in each project location are as follows:

In Bangui, a further needs and capacities assessment study was carried out regarding the existing groups and associations in the three districts targeted by the project. This time about 60 groups were evaluated, of which 60% were associations, 35% were groups and 5% were NGOs.

Following the study carried out in September 2016, a call for project proposals was launched in the districts targeted by the project, to which only 31 groups responded. A committee was put in place to evaluate the project proposals. Of the 19 project proposals submitted, the committee selected the 10 groups that had received the highest scores in regard to their capacity to implement their projects, as outlined in the following table.

Table 6 Projects submitted by associations by activity sector and project cost in Bangui

Number of Members Name of Association Activity Sector Grant Men Women Total Amount 1 AVICOM Market Gardeners Association Poultry farming 18 16 34 1,500,000 Association of Fighters for Social 2 Goat breeding 10 16 26 1,500,000 Progress (ACPS) 3 Union of Central African Muslim Youth Income-Generating Activity 20 18 38 1,500,000 (UJMCA) (IGA)

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4 Tomba Zinga Association Poultry farming 5 4 9 1,500,000 Boeing Women's Group for the 5 Food crop production and 1 15 16 1,500,000 Production and Marketing of Agricultural marketing project Products Aid for the people of the 6 Koli and Wali Gara Association of 1000 2000 3000 1,500,000 Kokoro-Boeing market in Kokoro Boeing Market response to the crisis 7 The Good Shepherd Good Market Market gardening activities in 15 16 31 1,500,000 Gardener Association the Bimbo 4 district of Boeing 8 Here I Am Small business 16 20 36 1,500,000 9 NODJO Action for Development (AND) Goat breeding 9 9 18 1,500,000 10 Association of Muslim Women for Income-Generating Activity 0 120 120 1.500.000 Central African Development (IGA) 1.094 2.234 3.328 15,000,000 TOTAL

The 10 associations selected by the Evaluation Committee on the basis of their capacities and business plan each received a grant of 1,500,000 francs CFA, which enabled half of the associations to consolidate their activities and half to finance their income-generating projects. The grants were disbursed after a 24-hour business management training course held in September 2017. The grants have enabled the more than 3,328 members of the 10 associations to engage in income-generating activities.

Cash Grant Award Ceremony in Bangui In Bambari: The implementation of this activity in the Bambari region enabled 3 IGA groups or Village- Based Savings and Credit Associations (VSLAs) to benefit from cash or grants in order to carry out their collective economic activities and to build their capacity to make tontine funding available to their members to finance their own activities.

Grants were distributed to the groups in two ways. The first cluster was made up of 30 groups identified in partnership with Mercy Corps. In order to overcome the difficulties that the groups might face, grants were awarded following the assessment of their group management capacities and capacity-building sessions in business management, organizational management, VSLA management and the development of business plans.

In addition to the groups in the first cluster, the UNDP Bambari office assisted 18 other groups, including 16 that had been organized on the basis of "Cash for Work" activities combined with grants from "Youth at Risk", another UNDP project, as well as 2 groupings of vulnerable women identified by the project in the town of Bambari. These groups received support for the creation and start-up of IGAs but to ensure that the groups would be sustainable, the project decided to provide them with ongoing support.

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The main IGA activity sectors that the groups selected after studying the potential marketing of their production on local markets were: farming, buying and selling agricultural products, soap-making, carpentry, sewing, secretarial and office skills, brickmaking, moto taxi transport services, etc.

The UNDP's approach to encouraging savings by providing grants equivalent to three times a group's savings, combined with Mercy Corps' start-up funding approach of targeting not only groups of returnees in the town of Bambari itself but also in localities along the main roads leading to it, enabled the project to reach a total of 48 groups. A total of 1,220 people (369 men, 30% of beneficiaries, and 851 women, 70% of beneficiaries) were directly impacted by this activity. The grants allocated by UNDP ranged from 400,000 CFA francs to 3,150,000 CFA francs while Mercy Corps provided a standard sum of 740,000 CFA francs to each group, disbursed in two instalments.

To ensure that the project was successful, in that the funds were actually used to develop IGAs, the project concluded a memorandum of understanding with each group, in addition to monitoring the implementation of their business plans on a regular basis. This strategy enabled certain beneficiary groups, notably in the town of Bambari, to set up a network to monitor their activities themselves.

Table 7 Groups that received grants to carry out IGAs in Bambari

Type of Group Number of Groups Men Women Total Supported Groups created by other UNDP projects 18 192 136 328 Groups supported by the project 30 177 715 892 through Mercy Corps 48 369 851 1220 TOTAL 30% 70% 100%

Distribution of grants in Bambari In Bossangoa: Within the framework of the aforementioned activity, cash grants totalling 23,841,259 million CFA francs were disbursed to 41 groups and associations, comprising a total of 890 people, for the purpose of carrying out of Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) in Bossangoa and its surroundings.

To facilitate the process of selecting groups and to better support them, an identification sheet developed by MINUSCA and UNDP as part of their joint “Youth-at-Risk” project was used as the basis for identifying the status and capacities of each group. The information sheet provided specific criteria that enabled groups in Bossangoa and its surroundings to be selected objectively.

Once the selection process was complete, the project signed a memorandum of understanding with the groups to be funded that included the general conditions, objectives, responsibilities and obligations of both parties. Of the beneficiaries, more than 80% were women and 20% were men.

Table 8 List of subsidized groups and associations in Bossangoa 10

Number NAMES OF GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS Activity Sector Women Men Total 1 BE OKO MEMBRE Shea processing and farming 13 2 15 2 BALAWA Shea processing 10 0 10 3 MON TOULI NGANLI Commerce 24 2 26 4 MINACA Bee-keeping 6 10 16 5 PLATFORM FOR YOUTH Agriculture 10 19 29 6 KOWI DE SANA Basketry 8 6 14 7 MAI NA NDARA Animal husbandry 17 3 20 8 HANDICAPPED PERSONS Animal husbandry 14 6 20 9 MEN AND WOMEN ARTISANS Hand crafts 2 13 15 10 MO GANE WARA BONA Agriculture 20 8 28 11 BE OKO WALI GARA Animal husbandry 22 6 28 12 LONDO NA KWA Animal husbandry 21 9 30 13 SARA MBI GA ZO Animal husbandry and agriculture 20 0 20 14 CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF CL Animal husbandry and agriculture 20 0 20 15 BANGUERE DE BORO Animal husbandry 10 10 20 16 KO BOSSANGOA Soap-making 28 0 28 17 E SARA SI Agriculture 15 0 15 18 NOU KPEM Animal husbandry 18 15 33 Agriculture, animal husbandry and 19 YONG NE WARA commerce 10 8 18 20 WALI CAMP CHIC Soap-making 35 0 35 21 UNITED WOMEN OF CAMP CHIC Soap-making 20 0 20 22 DJONI KEREMBA Food processing and catering 22 0 22 23 ZORO DE ZOUDAN Brick-making and agriculture 2 11 13 24 DESSE DE BALI Agriculture and animal husbandry 10 5 15 25 AFUPDCSB Agriculture and animal husbandry 14 0 14 26 THE FUTURE OF YOUTH Carpentry and animal husbandry 0 20 20 27 TONGOLO TI A MASSEKA Animal husbandry 8 3 11 28 MOKERE Fishing 5 21 26 29 MON DENAMOKOZANGOA Agriculture 15 0 15 30 YAM PLANTERS Agriculture 8 13 21 31 AFBP Soap-making 38 0 38 32 GBODENET Animal husbandry 5 17 22 33 OUALI TAMBOULA Animal husbandry and commerce 19 0 19 34 GOOD SAMARITAN Animal husbandry and commerce 30 3 33 35 DOUNGOU PKAMONA Agriculture and animal husbandry 10 10 20 36 CORNEILLE Animal husbandry 5 21 26 37 UNITY IS STRENGTH Agriculture and commerce 15 5 20 38 MABOKO NA MABOKO SI E MAI Agriculture and animal husbandry 5 13 18 39 FISH PROCESSORS Food processing 21 0 21 40 THE BUILDERS Agriculture and animal husbandry 2 24 26 41 SYLVO-PASTORAL Animal husbandry 5 25 30 TOTAL 582 308 890

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Ceremony for distribution of grants in Bossangoa Activity 1.3: Allocation of IGA kits to 500 women and youths (50% women).

This activity enabled 1,304 beneficiaries (892 women, 412 men, including youth) to receive IGA kits. The feelings the beneficiaries expressed concerning the opportunity that the project had given them to access vocational training and to receive start-up kits for their activities were generally positive. The local radio broadcast the participants’ opinions, which had a very positive impact on young people, many of whom had not previously seen learning a trade as a way to improve their livelihoods.

In Bangui: 13 women, enrolled in soap-making, sewing or commerce, were selected to receive IGA kits based on their level of vulnerability, as indicated in the table below.

Table 9 Distribution of IGA kits in Bangui

Districts Vocational Track TOTAL Boeing/Bimbo 3 PK5 Soap-making 1 2 3 Sewing 2 1 3 Commerce 2 5 7 Total 5 8 13

It should be noted that the activity was initially planned for 50 vulnerable women. However, this was not possible because of the financial pressures caused by the need to give grants to the groups (2,300 people) as well. The IGA kits were presented to participants during a ceremony held on 7 September 2017 in the presence of representatives of the two district municipalities and UNDP.

IGA kits Presentation Ceremony in Bangui

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In Bambari: The 281 beneficiaries who completed vocational training (239 women and 42 young men) were also awarded start-up kits for their IGAs. These kits were awarded through the partnership with Mercy Corps on 25 August 2017, in the presence of officials from the town of Bambari. The kits contained essential professional equipment, and included such tools as a hammer and pliers for carpentry, scissors and a mirror for women's hairdressing, and a sewing machine and iron for sewing.

In addition, the UNDP Office in Bambari provided IGA kits directly to 4 groups out of the 18 directly supported by UNDP, based on how they were implementing their business plans and managing their activities. These 4 groups had taken particular care to implement their activities properly. A total of 120 people were impacted: 62 men (52%) and 58 women (48%).

At the end of the implementation period, the cumulative results in the Bambari region show that 401 people were impacted, 104 men (26%) and 297 women (74%).

Table 10 Distribution of people impacted by the presentation of IGA kits in Bambari

Beneficiaries Designation Men Women TOTAL IGA kits for 7 vocational 42 239 281 Individuals courses Group IGA kits for 3 groups 62 58 120 TOTAL 104 297 401 Percentages by Gender 26% 74% 100%

IGA kits Presentation Ceremony in Bambari Speech of Bambari Deputy Mayor at the Ceremony

In Bossangoa: IGA kits were distributed to 41 groups, representing a total of 890 beneficiaries receiving support in the framework of this activity. The distribution ceremony took place on 13 December 2017 at the Bossangoa City Hall in the presence of Prefectoral and administrative authorities, heads of the decentralized state services, representatives of groups and civil society, representatives of the United Nations system, community and district leaders, etc. The kits contained tools and equipment related to the following activities: agriculture, farming, brick-making, fishing, arts and crafts, bee-keeping, soap-making, masonry and carpentry, etc.

Table 11 Distribution of IGA kits to the beneficiaries in Bossangoa

Beneficiaries Designation Men Women TOTAL 41 Groups IGA kits 178 712 890 Percentages by Gender 20% 80% 100%

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IGA kits Presentation Ceremony in Bossangoa

Activity 1.4: Business management training for 800 beneficiaries, of whom 50% are women

This activity enabled business management training to be conducted with a total of 1,780 beneficiaries (1,265 women and 515 men). Given the tremendous need for this training and the fact that the groups wanted their members to participate, the project decided to accept a greater number of participants than originally planned. The outputs in each project location are as follows:

In Bangui: 120 people (62 women and 58 men) from the two target districts, including the General Treasurers of the 10 groups receiving grants, received training on business management, including how to transform simple business ideas into income-generating projects, simple bookkeeping, cooperative principles and entrepreneurship. The training session lasted a total of 4 days.

Training session on business management in Bangui Certificate award ceremony in Bangui In Bambari: The project conducted training sessions on business management and other related areas for all beneficiaries, particularly those in IGA groups and vocational training. On average, the training sessions lasted four (4) days and focused on managing an association and developing a business plan. Through practical case studies, the beneficiaries worked on developing a business plan and keeping a simplified bookkeeping ledger.

Table 12 Distribution of people impacted by business management training in Bambari

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Training Course Targets Men Women Total Business management 48 IGA groups 369 851 1220 27% 73% 100%

Training session on business management in Bambari In Bossangoa: 440 people (352 women (80%) and 88 men (20%)) took part in a 2-day business management training course. The general objective of the course was to build and strengthen the business management capacities of the organizations, groups and associations that had received cash grants. To achieve this, modules on simple accounting, project management, entrepreneurship, financing and business plan development were developed and used with participants over the two-day period.

Closing ceremony of business management training in Bossangoa Awarded certificate to participants in Bossangoa In summary, for the groups participating, the training course was a key input in terms of developing and acquiring a general knowledge of the practical aspects of community-based management. With the help of the project office, more than 85% of the groups were able to draw up a business plan for their respective activities.

Output 2: Women and youth at risk are socially and psychologically rehabilitated

During the period covered by the present report, the three (3) activities for Output 2 were planned and implemented. The activities were carried out in Bossangoa and Bambari because women and youth at risk in Bossangoa and Bambari are socially and psychologically more isolated than those in Bangui and are thus at greater risk of sexual and gender-based abuse.

Activity 2.1: Provision of medical and psychological care to victims of gender-based violence 15

In Bambari, by the end of the project timeframe, 280 people had been provided with psychological and medical care. In Bossangoa, the project helped to raise public awareness of the concept of providing medical and psycho-social care, reaching 2000 people.

In Bambari: This activity was implemented by our partner, Mercy Corps, through its listening centre in the town of Bambari and the mobile listening centres that were added from April to the end of August 2017.

In total, 280 people (26 men, 220 women, 30 girls and 4 boys), all survivors of GBV, received psycho- social support as well as referrals for medical care in keeping with their specific needs. An analysis of the cases reported indicates that:

❖ Women and girls are more likely to be impacted by gender-based violence. ❖ Psychological abuse, physical abuse and the denial of resources are the most common types of violence. ❖ Rape is the most prevalent form of sexual violence and is mainly committed against girls and women.

Table 13 Distribution of GBV cases by gender and age, April-August 2017 in Bambari

Type of Incident Boys Girls Men Women Total % Rape 0 18 1 8 27 10% Sexual assault 0 5 0 1 6 2% Physical assault 0 2 5 71 78 28% Early marriage 0 1 0 1 2 1% Denial of Resources 0 0 2 30 32 11% Psychological abuse 0 2 16 107 125 45% Other Non-GBV 4 2 2 2 10 4% Total 4 30 26 220 280 100% % 1% 11% 9% 79% 100%

Moreover, 67 out of 280 cases were referred to hospital for medical care under the terms of the partnership clause between the two institutions. This strategy ensured that the survivors received holistic care. In addition, 50 dignity kits were purchased as part of the project and provided to survivors. The remaining 22 dignity kits came from a USAID-funded project that provides support for GBV activities as part of the UNDP project.

Table 14 Services provided to survivors of gender-based violence, April-August 2017 in Bambari

Activities Number Social services follow-up carried out at the 92 survivors: 48 new cases (8 girls, 3 men, 37 women) listening centre and 44 older cases (6 girls, 1 boy, 1 man, 36 women) Distribution of Mercy Corps dignity kits 72 survivors (66 women, 5 men and 1 girl) Transportation for survivors 41 survivors (1 man, 2 girls and 38 women) Social follow-up by counsellors 45 survivors

In Bossangoa: To achieve the output of this activity and improve the psycho-social and medical care provided to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), UNDP, in partnership with the UNFPA sub-office, organized a training workshop on "psychological and medical care for victims of gender-based violence" for 140 community relays. The workshop was held over two (2) days, from 19 to 20 December 2016. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacities of community relays in developing and spreading messages regarding medical and psycho-social care for victims so as to ensure that

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communities and members of the public know the risks inherent in sexual violence, the abduction of girls for early marriage and female genital mutilation, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation in order to facilitate coordination and the sharing of information at the regional and national levels. Consequently, the results expected were as follows:

- Community relays and other responders are better equipped and trained to develop care plans, distribute information and refer GBV victims for medical and psychological care; - GBV victims have increased awareness of and easier access to medical and psycho-social care; - GBV victims are aware of and given support for forming IGA groups, associations or cooperatives so as to facilitate their socio-economic reintegration.

With a view to building the capacities of our partners, a workshop on Gender-Based Violence/GBV and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) was held from 19 to 20 June 2017 with leaders of women's and youth associations. It was organized by the UNDP project office in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Bossangoa, the Regional Directorate of Social Affairs in the North, the JPN, the Municipality of Bossangoa and a number of civil society organizations. The general and specific objectives of the workshop were to:

- Organize panels and discussion sessions on GBV issues and the importance of using victim care services (referrals) from the perspective of providing psycho-social and medical care. - Discuss with women (80%) and young people (20%) the different types of GBV and the different types of support services that provide psycho-social and medical care. - Involve women and young people in the fight against GBV and to engage them in the different types of support services available to survivors. - Conduct a mass outreach radio campaign to inform the Bossangoa community about GBV/SEA and its consequences.

As a result of these activities, at least 2000 people were reached on the topics mentioned above.

Training workshop on "psychological and medical care for victims of gender-based violence" in Bossangoa

Activity 2.2: Supporting the establishment of community centres for social cohesion, literacy training and basic education

Although no community literacy centres were supported because they were either non-functional or non-existent, the project did provide support to 20 community literacy circles and 3 community-based centres. As a result, the activity was implemented with 1,282 people (847 women and 435 men). The beneficiaries also received literacy kits. In Bambari: The strategy used in order to implement this activity was based on collaboration with NGOs and the government. Four (4) groups were referred by Jesuit Relief Services (JRS) and ten (10) by the Ouaka Prefectoral Literacy Service attached to the Centre Est School Inspectorate. In addition, six

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literacy groups were identified by the community. A total of 20 literacy circles were either identified by or referred to the project in order to receive literacy kits.

The kits and materials were distributed on 26 July 2017 at the offices of Mercy Corps in Bambari in the presence of representatives of the UNDP based in Bambari and the representative of the School Inspectorate for the Centre Est.

A monitoring plan was drafted and implemented from August onwards. It shows that:

❖ Classes are conducted with students who are motivated to learn how to read and write. ❖ The number of students has increased in some of the literacy circles ❖ The teaching materials made available to the circles are being used, including notebooks, pencils, blue and red pens, erasers, binders, rulers, white and coloured chalks, rolls of paper, arithmetic textbooks, reading and writing textbooks, teacher's guides, literacy handbooks and guides. Thus, even though community centres for social cohesion and basic education have not been set up, the support provided to the 20 community literacy circles made it possible to reach the indicator for this activity. Thanks to this support, a total of 687 people (487 women and 200 men) benefited from the literacy classes and literacy kits during the project.

Training session on business management in Bambari In Bossangoa: Although no community centres as such were created, the project provided support to 3 community-based centres in order to rehabilitate them so that they would be able to provide activities related to social cohesion, functional literacy, basic education and skills training. More than 150 women and girls and 50 men are benefiting from these basic services. The 3 centres are located in Bossangoa and are functioning.

Table 15 List of community-based centres in Bossangoa

Name of Centre Activity Locality St. Joseph Centre Literacy, carpentry, general Bossangoa, Camp Chic district, mechanics, electricity Evêché LONDO NA KWA Centre Literacy, sewing, food Bossangoa, Sembé district processing BE OKO MEMBRE Centre Literacy, sewing, hospitality Bossangoa, Gbanou district

In order to achieve the output of the above activity, 400 literacy kits were procured and given to women and members of vulnerable groups studying literacy in Bossangoa, Nana Bakassa and Bouca, in partnership with the Association of Evangelical Women of Bossangoa (AFEB, 21 February 2017). This 18

support enabled a total of 400 people (350 women and 50 men) to participate in literacy classes during the project. The kits consisted of: - Teaching aids for learners: ABC sheet, Pré syllabaire Mbeti 1,2,3, arithmetic textbook; - Teaching materials for instructors: ABC sheet, Pré syllabaire 1,2 Mbeti 2,3, Bûku ti Wäfango yê, arithmetic textbook; - Supplies: a 2-subject notebook, a slate, a pencil with eraser, a tracing ruler, a binder with strap, an attendance book, a journal notebook, boxes of chalk, a pencil sharpener.

In conjunction with this activity and in partnership with the DDR section of MINUSCA in Bossangoa, kits of learning materials were given to 195 ex-combatants (10 women and girls and 185 boys and men) in the presence of representatives of the School Inspectorate of the town of Bossangoa, the Town Hall, the Prefecture, delegates of associations of ex-combatants, and the DDR section of MINUSCA. These ex-combatants are all part of the MINUSCA THIMO-Pre-DDR programme in Bossangoa, and are enrolled in apprenticeship and literacy classes at the Freedom School in Bossangoa. Activity 2.3: Implementation of awareness campaigns

Throughout the duration of the project, several types of awareness-raising campaigns were organized in the project zones via a range of media (radio, debates, talks, etc.), cultural events (street theatre, dances, competitions, etc.), sports and games, (races. football matches). During these activities, discussions were held on themes related to activism, including the issues of violence against women and girls, HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, sexual abuse and exploitation, the promotion of community coexistence, the cultivation of peace and human rights, community engagement and leadership, social cohesion, national reconciliation, etc. Thanks to this activity, a total of 32,815 people (13,698 men and 19,117 women) were reached in Bambari and Bossangoa.

In Bambari: In November 2016, as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Violence Towards Women and Girls” campaign on the worldwide theme, "Orange the World: Fund-raise to end the violence against women and girls", UNDP participated in the activities organized by the Bambari Gender-Based Violence cluster under the leadership of UNFPA. UNDP produced 500 T-shirts, contributed to making banners and mobilized resources from providers to cover some of the components of the mass awareness-raising campaign on women's empowerment. The campaign reached at least 200 women, including 85 women from the six (6) groups supported by UNDP.

For International Women's Day, held on 8 March each year, the project also organized a number of awareness-raising events in collaboration with national humanitarian organizations such as JUPEDEC, ESPERANCE, NDA, and international organizations such as COOPI and Mercy Corps, the implementing partner, including:

❖ Advocacy sessions to reduce gender-based violence and to promote peace and human rights in the town of Bambari. ❖ A peaceful march to denounce incidents of GBV committed against women and girls, and a football (soccer) match for the women of Bambari with the participation of six (6) associations: the OAUKA Prefectoral Youth Association for Peace (AJPOP), the Central African Women's Association (OFCA), the OUAKA Muslim Youth Association (AJMO), the Association of Women Sisters (AITA OUALI), the Association of Central African Women Lawyers (AFJC) and the Association of Muslim Women. More than 500 people participated in the peaceful demonstration and about 300 people were involved in the football (soccer) match. Approximately 27,315 people were reached during these GBV awareness-raising sessions, which covered such topics as:

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❖ Emotional abuse of women in the family home ❖ The dangers of sexual abuse and exploitation ❖ Physical abuse and its consequences ❖ Physical assault in family homes Lastly, protection committees used these themes in conjunction with the cases of GBV reported at their listening centres during their two-month awareness-raising campaign. As a result, 51 awareness-raising campaigns were carried out, reaching approximately 27,315 people (9,153 women, 7,588 men, 5,964 girls and 4,610 boys).

Table 16 People reached by awareness-raising campaigns to combat GBV and human rights violations in Bambari

Time Frame Boys Men Girls Women Total Apr-17 1,053 1,607 1,343 1,995 5,998 May-17 1,130 2,398 1,408 2,965 7,901 Jun-17 942 1,362 1,257 1,593 5,154 Jul-17 693 1,033 918 1,260 3,904 Aug-17 792 1,188 1,038 1,340 4,358 Total 4,610 7,588 5,964 9,153 27,315 By Gender 17% 28% 22% 34% 100%

Ceremony on International Women’s Day in Bambari

In Bossangoa: As part of this activity, awareness campaigns were conducted all over the region of Bossangoa during the 16-day period of activism against gender-based violence that took place during November 2016. During this period, the prefectoral/administrative authorities, the Bossangoa municipality, humanitarian actors, UNDP and its sister agencies within the United Nations system, including MINUSCA, held awareness campaigns via panel discussions, cultural events, games and radio broadcasts on a number of themes such as social cohesion, living together, peace building and national reconciliation. T-shirts were produced on the worldwide theme, "Orange the World: Fund-raise to end violence against women and girls” and distributed to participants.

In conjunction with the above activity, awareness-raising campaigns were carried out during the celebration of International Youth Day (IYD) on 12 August 2017, in partnership with the UNFPA branch office, the Bossangoa Municipality and Prefecture, the Directorate of Social Affairs, MINUSCA and other actors. The theme of the campaigns was “Youth and the challenges of building a strong, indivisible, exemplary emerging nation". Panel discussions, street theatre, roleplays, and radio programmes followed by broad media coverage targeted young people from Bossangoa and its surrounding region. As a reminder, the prefecture of Ouham in general and the town of Bossangoa in particular suffered

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very heavy losses in human lives during the clashes in 2013-14. Since that time, young people have been involved in committing acts of gross incivility, flagrant human rights violations and drug abuse.

In light of this alarming situation where young people are being exposed to a range of egregious social ills, such as unemployment, illiteracy, HIV/Aids, early marriage and early pregnancy, sexual abuse and exploitation, food insecurity and the lack of leadership, UNDP and the UNFPA sub-office, together with the Working Group on Gender-Based Violence in Bossangoa, organized debates and discussions on these themes.

Table 17 List of awareness-raising campaigns in Bossangoa

Number of Campaign Title Days Period Men Women Total Campaign against SGBV 16 Nov-2016 500 1000 1500 International Youth Day 02 Oct-2017 500 1500 2000 Discussions and Talks on Social Issues 02 Oct-2017 500 1500 2000

16-day period of activism against gender-based violence in Bossangoa

Part III Viability and Ownership In Bangui: From the outset of the project, the platform set up to coordinate the groups and associations in Bangui greatly facilitated the identification of the groups that represented the most vulnerable segments of the population. The groups identified the activities that the project should support by means of project sheets that the group members themselves developed. In most cases, the ideas behind the projects were based on the economic activities that the members had engaged in before the crisis. Thus, with recovery support, this provides a guarantee of sustainability.

Before IGAs were distributed to the groups, the members were given training in organizational management and simplified bookkeeping, which introduced the notion of accountability and created a system of oversight, thus strengthening the sustainability of the IGAs that were funded.

In Bambari: As a result of strong political commitment and robust action on the part of MINUSCA, the town of Bambari has become a "town free of armed groups". As such, it is viewed, after Bangui, as the pilot town for socio-economic recovery. In addition, the efforts of the CAR Government are actively supported by its development partners. It is in this context and to ensure that the activities carried out by the partners contribute to meeting all the needs of the population in keeping with the pillars of the RCPCA, that the Stabilisation Plan for Bambari (POSIB) was developed.

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After the return to constitutional order brought about by the presidential elections of February 2016, and the relative calm that has been restored in CAR, UNDP, like the other agencies of the United Nations System, opened a project office to facilitate (i) the implementation of its programmatic and operational activities, (ii) the supervision of activities carried out in the field by its implementing partners, and (iii) the coordination of the field partners' activities.

The returns from the activities that have been implemented -- the creation of IGA groups, project management capacity building and business plan development -- provide a sound basis for UNDP action, and can be leveraged through the projects implemented in the Bambari region by ARAT-RSE, RESA, and the Support Programme for Stabilization, Socio-Economic Recovery and Preventing the Radicalization of Vulnerable Populations in order to improve access to employment and create new jobs.

Finally, even though the project was implemented in a volatile security context, particularly during the last quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017, the groups that received grants continued to implement their activities. This made it possible for the second round of grants to be allocated to the remaining groups, but above all it enabled an important community initiative to emerge: the creation of an inter-group platform to coordinate and provide technical support to their activities.

In Bossangoa: The security situation in the prefecture of Ouham, although volatile, has remained calm since 2016. Bossangoa is an agro-pastoral region par excellence. Humanitarian actors, national and international NGOs and other UN agencies are present in the area and are implementing emergency and recovery activities. This momentum has been strengthened by the presence of MINUSCA, which since 2016 has been working to implement THIMO Pré-DDR projects and programmes for ex- combatants through the rehabilitation of a dozen public facilities (vocational training centres, Barthelemy Stadium, Bossangoa prison, Boro market, Sembé slaughterhouse, etc.). These factors, combined with the large pool of groups involved in a variety of economic activities - agro-pastoral activities, trade, handicrafts, etc. -- testify to the vibrancy of the population of Bossangoa and its surroundings and their keen determination to emerge from the crisis. In this perspective, the viability and the ownership of the project activities -- whether IGAs, vocational training, or providing kits of materials -- are to some extent adding value to the momentum for recovery fostered by the more stable security situation in the region.

In summary, the stakeholders mentioned above are strategic levers that can help stabilize the region in terms of sustainability and ownership. In addition to the project's contribution in terms of its impact on the lives of its beneficiaries, there is a clear and real impetus among the population to recover from the effects of the crisis by expanding and diversifying the range of their local income-generating activities in sectors such as animal husbandry, agriculture, trade and commerce and so on.

Part IV Project Management

As stated in the Project Document, UNDP adopted the DIM modality to implement the project in all project zones.

In Bangui, a national expert in community stabilization and recovery was recruited as part of the project and several consultants (in management training and final evaluation) were also recruited.

In Bambari, UNDP recruited a team of four (4) staff members. Using project resources, one (1) international technical adviser for livelihood development and one (1) national expert in stabilization and socio-economic recovery were recruited to carry out project activities. In addition, one (1) administrative and financial assistant and one (1) driver were recruited within the funding framework. To carry out some of the activities, UNDP entered into a partnership agreement with Mercy Corps, an 22

international NGO with which it had previously worked. The partnership aims to mitigate the risks arising from the volatile security situation in the zone, broaden the project's scope of action beyond the town of Bambari, and in particular be able to cover the return routes taken by internally displaced persons (IDPs)

Partnership with Mercy Corps has also made it possible to monitor the activities of both the partner and the beneficiary populations. Follow-up visits, evaluations and work sessions have been carried out and have contributed not only to creating a sense of satisfaction within the community, but also to highlighting their considerable needs, as the external evaluation report for the Bambari area indicates.

The project office also ensured that it was cooperating well with the local authorities, the different communities and other stakeholders in the project zones.

In Bossangoa, the project activities were implemented directly by the project office. The office consists of a team of four (4) staff members: one (1) head of office (international), one (1) national expert in community recovery and stabilization, one (1) administrative and financial assistant and one (1) driver. The project covered all of Bossangoa and its surroundings.

UNDP management ensured the monitoring of project quality. When the security situation deteriorated during the last quarter of 2016 and early in the first quarter of 2017, for example, a request was made to the Government of Japan for a cost-free extension of six (06) months in order to guarantee that the project results would be achieved.

Part V Challenges and Lessons Learned Challenges

1) Security situation

Due to the security situation, the project as originally conceived and planned had to undergo a number of changes, which caused delays in the implementation of some of the project activities, especially in the Bambari region from December 2016 to February 2017. For example, the fighting in December 2016, which resulted in the temporary relocation of UN staff and many other NGO actors to Bangui for one month, had a very negative impact on project activities.

2) Road conditions The implementation of the activities of this project faced the following constraints and challenges: restrictions due to the security situation and the ongoing attacks by the various armed groups in the town and on the main roads (robberies and looting, killing, etc.). The deteriorated state of the roads has paralyzed the delivery of inputs and equipment, resulting in increased transport costs. The same is true for monitoring activities in the field. 3) Situation of IDPs and returnees The number of IDPs and returnees is constantly growing as a result of the ongoing clashes between armed groups. As a result, covering their need for adequate livelihoods and access to basic social services remains a major concern in the city of Bambari. In those regions where we have begun to see the population returning, there are significant needs, particularly with regard to the indecent state of housing and community infrastructure. Health centres as well as primary and secondary schools, for example, were destroyed and have not been rehabilitated. 4) Procuring equipment The limited ability of suppliers to deliver equipment/materials has also been a major challenge in supplying the beneficiaries with the kits they need. As there are only very limited supply routes for 23

transporting equipment from neighbouring countries (much of the equipment comes from Cameroon) and the borders are frequently closed, suppliers cannot deliver the quantities of material UNDP needs. 5) Absence of local institutions The lack of decentralized agents and services in the intervention zones has handicapped the supervision of business plans, and limited the associations' choices regarding seasonally-sensitive agricultural activities. Lessons Learned

1) Project approach

❖ The project's participatory, contractual and subsidized, cash-based approach with beneficiaries has demonstrated the scope and effectiveness of its support in terms of the financial and technical resources needed in order to strengthen the resilience of the population to the challenges they face in recovering from a post-conflict crisis

❖ This approach has also been successful in addressing the types of support that groups need in order to revitalize their economic activities and has significantly contributed to developing other activities by promoting diversification through combining agriculture and animal husbandry, food processing, soap-making, commerce, bee-keeping, carpentry, brick-making, etc. In the same way, the willingness of the authorities and the population to get involved in the whole process of implementing the project has also been a significant factor.

❖ The popularization and adoption of the sector-based approach, which takes into account the feasibility of each stage of setting up an IGA, also enables the beneficiaries to understand the issues involved in choosing their business activities.

❖ The beneficiaries' high level of motivation -- especially the women beneficiaries -- to learn skills and become functionally literate is indicative of their high expectations and strong desire to see these types of activities implemented under better guidance and supervision.

2) Project activities

❖ The public has understood that joining forces to carry out their activities will enable them to more effectively mitigate the impact of the deteriorating security situation on their livelihood activities. Moreover, by adopting the community recovery approaches proposed by UNDP, they have been able to obtain larger grants. ❖ The project’s inputs, designed to align with the needs of the participating groups, were a catalyst in setting up an internal inter-group coordination mechanism that would ensure that group activities were sustainable and would have the greatest impact on people's living conditions. ❖ The IGA cash grant activities and training courses in group management and business planning that were implemented for returnees in the town of Bambari have helped to encourage some IDPs to return to their Districts and join together in economic interest groups. 3) Partnership:

❖ The partnership between UNDP and Mercy Corps demonstrated the relevance of developing activities in support of IGAs that can be combined with initiatives aimed at ensuring the organization of improved community tontines (AVEC). This was made possible thanks to an extensive knowledge of the local context and the technical skills available.

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❖ The terms of the binding partnership agreement affected the implementation of activities and put the partner's safety at risk, particularly when the start-up kits were given out after the training course. Some of the beneficiaries thought that the contents of the kits they had received were insufficient and proceeded to vandalize Mercy Corps property. It is important to evaluate the cost of the kits before mentioning them in projects.

❖ Monitoring and communication with our implementing partners needs to be improved, as there was insufficient information sharing, and this led to misunderstandings with some of the beneficiaries.

❖ Despite the limited availability of human and material resources, the institutional knowledge of the environment and effective collaboration with other agencies in the United Nations System made it possible to implement our activities and meet our challenges.

Part VI Visibility Throughout all of the project activities, the donor's visibility was ensured through the inclusion of the Japan logo on all the materials (banners, T-shirts, calendars, etc.) that were produced.

High donor visibility was also ensured through the official speeches that were made during the presentations of grants or kits to the beneficiaries and through the media coverage partnership between Mercy Corps and the local community radio stations (Guira FM, Lego ti la Ouaka, Ndéké Luka). These radio stations took on the responsibility for covering the project and served as channels of communication for community outreach.

Finally, a documentary film will be produced and broadcast, highlighting the achievements of the project and the impact of Japan's financial contribution to the rehabilitation of conflict-affected communities in CAR.

T-shirts with Japanese national flag IGA Kits with Japanese ODA logo

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