LESSON
Lesson Learned: Strengthening Governance and Democratization Processes in Kenya and the East and Central Africa Region
Although most of the project activities were directly relevant to the objective of strengthening the electoral process in Kenya, most of the activities were designed as a series of one-time efforts. This scattered nature lacked the programmatic links and followed-up needed to be effective beyond the activity level. Failure to collect outcome data made impact difficult to assess beyond the individual level. In order to achieve outcomes beyond outputs, follow-up efforts would have been needed in all four activity areas.
Project Name
Project Partner
Institute For Education In Democracy
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity grassroots organizations, and enhance the participation of citizens in governance to promote a democratic culture in Kenya and in eastern and central Africa. While some project activities were highly relevant and empowering to individual beneficiaries, others lacked follow-up. Among the project’s successes were the election observation trainings which had a multiplier effect with grassroots organizations. Following the workshop trainings, 12 observation groups were established to monitor the Kenyan election of 2013, all of which later obtained a long-term accreditation status as election observers. In general, the project was activity-driven which made outcomes and institutional impact difficult to assess. Project design showed some weaknesses, as several challenges that appeared during implementation could have been anticipated by the grantee beforehand. For example, the shortage of staff and a better coordination with the electoral timeline in Kenya could have ensured a smoother implementation.
Report
Evaluation Date
May 2013
Theme
Country