PROVISION FOR POST PROJECT EVALUATIONS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS DEMOCRACY FUND META-EVALUATION REPORT TUNISIA Date: 31 May 2021 Contents 1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 5 2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1. Development context ................................................................................................................. 7 2.2. Evaluation scope and objectives .............................................................................................. 9 2.2.1. Overview of focus areas .................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2. Overview of the geographic scope of the nine projects .............................................. 11 2.3. Evaluation methodology ......................................................................................................... 12 3. Project Strategies .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.1. Project objectives and approaches ......................................................................................... 12 3.1.1. Gender mainstreaming in project approaches ............................................................. 14 3.2. Logical frameworks ................................................................................................................. 15 4. Evaluation Findings ......................................................................................................................... 17 4.1. Coherence .................................................................................................................................. 17 4.2. Relevance ................................................................................................................................... 18 4.2.1. Relevance of focus areas .................................................................................................. 18 4.2.2. Relevance of project approaches and risk mitigation ................................................. 19 4.2.3. Relevance of project participants ................................................................................... 20 4.2.4. Relevance of Partnership Plans ...................................................................................... 20 4.3. Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................. 21 4.3.1. Capacity Development .................................................................................................... 22 4.3.2. Multi-pronged components ............................................................................................ 22 4.3.3. Project-wide awareness raising and advocacy ............................................................ 23 4.3.4. Sub-grants in the form of collaborative advocacy activities ...................................... 23 4.3.5. Effectiveness of partnerships and other functional relationships ............................. 25 4.4. Efficiency ................................................................................................................................... 26 4.5. Impact ........................................................................................................................................ 28 4.5.1. Themes and Synergies ..................................................................................................... 29 4.5.2. Positive Effects of Activities on Project Participants ................................................... 30 4.5.3. Positive Effects on Institutions ....................................................................................... 32 4.5.4. Factors that Contributed to Negative Effects ............................................................... 32 4.6. Sustainability ............................................................................................................................ 33 4.6.1. Sustainability of the Project Design ............................................................................... 34 4.6.2. Sustainability for Institutions at the Municipal Level ................................................. 34 4.6.3. Possible Project Continuity/Sustainability post-UNDEF funding ............................ 34 4.7. UNDEF added value ............................................................................................................... 35 4.7.1. Funding Innovative and Unique Proposals ................................................................. 35 4.7.2. Strengthening the Networking of Emergent Democratic Activists .......................... 35 4.7.3. Flexible and Empowering Approach ............................................................................ 35 4.7.4. Benefits of Co-branding for Trust/Visibility ................................................................. 36 5. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 36 6. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 38 7. Lessons learned ................................................................................................................................ 39 8. Annexes ............................................................................................................................................. 40 Annex 1: UNDEF-funded projects in Tunisia 2011-present ........................................................... 40 Annex 2: Projects’ target participants ................................................................................................ 42 Annex 3: Projects’ main products/outputs ....................................................................................... 44 Annex 4: Typology of capacity development topics ....................................................................... 46 Annex 5: List of products and outputs.............................................................................................. 47 Annex 6: Compilation of lessons learned ......................................................................................... 49 Annex 7: Links to post-project evaluations ...................................................................................... 53 Page 3 of 53 Acknowledgements The evaluators would like to thank the UNDEF grantees for their time to share insights, reflections, and experiences. We wish to particularly thank Rachid Abidi from Lab’ESS, Chekib Besbes from Tamkeen For Development, Kouraich Jaouahdou and Olfa Karrou from L’Action Associative, Tarak Mahdaoui from Lam Chaml, Saloua Ghirissa from Association du Droit à la Différence, and Arbia Jebali from Free Sight Association. Disclaimer The views expressed in this report are those of the evaluators. They do not represent those of UNDEF or any of the institutions referred to in the report. Authors This report was collaboratively written by (in alphabetical order): Laryssa Chomiak, Marina El Khoury and Amal Khlif. Page 4 of 53 1. Executive Summary The Tunisia meta-evaluation of UNDEF-funded projects implemented between 2013 and 2021 shows positive trends at two principal levels: (1) with respect to Tunisia’s overall development context and needs; and (2) with respect to local democracy-building (sub-national, sub-regional, and in marginalized areas) via projects that commit to a participatory CSO-centric approach. Most successful UNDEF project strategies fall within two broad categories: (1) project designs based on regular participation by partners and stakeholders, especially when these are engaged in finetuning activities and their content; (2) participatory models connecting citizens, CSOs and local authorities (as seen in joint activity designs). Gender and youth elements are prioritized and integrated throughout the projects and within activities, albeit at different levels of effectiveness. A critical element of the meta-evaluation is the identification of synergies across projects, as well as trends that have slowed, stalled, or provided implementation challenges to projects, with recommendation to alleviate these in future. Coherence and Relevance To date (2013-2021), UNDEF has funded 17 projects that have buttressed Tunisia’s democratic transition by supporting government strategic priorities and aligning with broader democracy- assistance funding trends. UNDEF-funded projects have a clear CSO focus and stress participatory and dialogue-based project designs. UNDEF has a niche advantage of funding geographically diverse projects, implemented at the local level by smaller CSOs with solid areas of expertise and ability to work effectively within marginalized areas, where need is highest. At the time of implementation, and under the framework of the priorities defined by government-donor strategic plans, all projects addressed relevant and urgent democracy needs, and responded to the needs of target groups. UNDEF projects which were geographically diverse, with a significant focus on local communities and marginalized areas, were relevant. Effectiveness With nearly all projects facing contextual and