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LESSON

Lesson Learned: Promoting democratic dialogue and social cohesion in the Western region of Côte d'Ivoire

The project’s impact was most visible among the beneficiaries of the micro projects. For example, the association of women selling fresh products on the market in Bloléquin was able to create common interest among women from different backgrounds – locally born, as well as older migrants and recently resettled women. This association, created by the project, was able to lobby local authorities on behalf the market women on matters such as the allocation of market stalls and to improve the storage of fresh produce.
Project Partner
Centre de Recherche et d'Action pour la Paix
Project Description
The overall objective of the project was to reinforce community dialogue and participatory democracy in the Western part of Cote d’Ivoire, with a view to enhancing social cohesion and the enhancement of democratic values at local level. To achieve this objective, the project had three outputs: Civil society organizations (CSOs) and the authorities are better equipped to use community support techniques; CSO’s providing support to communities on the management of conflicts; and enhanced involvement of local communities in development initiatives. The project was remarkably relevant, in that it correctly identified the lack of social cohesion as a major risk for conflict returning to the target areas. The project developed strategies and activities that specifically addressed the needs of the local communities and those of the CSOs working with them. However, the project design phase did not sufficiently involve the communities and CSOs, and the project should have involved more technical experts.
Evaluation Date
January 2016
Country