LESSON
Lesson Learned: Promoting democratic dialogue and social cohesion in the Western region of Côte d'Ivoire
The project design phase did not sufficiently involve the communities and CSOs who were partners. The project could have also benefited from more technical expertise in the design of some of the micro-projects, to help ensure their success. The project duration was only 18 months (a three-month extension was eventually granted), was probably too short in view of its ambitious objective.
Project Name
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.
Report
Evaluation Date
January 2016
Theme
Country