Lessons

In areas where long-distance travel is difficult, it is important to take this into account in project design. The legal clinics provided to miners in this project would have had greater impact if there were more of them or if they were provided with means of transport. The distance between clinics prevented those in need from taking advantage of the legal resources provided to them.

Knowledge of the characteristics of the target group is of paramount importance to effective project implementation. The target group in question in this project was Congolese miners. The miners frequently move from one mine site to another depending on whether ores are easy to find or facilities are offered by traders or well owners. Thus, a better awareness of this target group requires that in addition to theoretical training, documents be made accessible to wherever they travel.

In Sierra Leone, chieftaincy authorities are key powerbrokers in local communities. When initiatives work to build the capacity of women and girls, these initiatives are made most effective when they also work to change the attitudes of men and in particular, of traditional authorities. In addition, 'chieftaincy by-laws' are the most applied legal framework in rural communities, regardless of what national laws may say.

Providing platforms through which women can educate other women is key for project relevance and impact. Women in Sierra Leone were not scared of speaking out to challenge prevailing cultural norms in Eastern Sierra Leone, they were merely unaware of their rights to land access in the first place. Providing women who have successfully secured land a platform from which to share their experience can build awareness and also inspire others as to what is possible for them to accomplish.

Allocating a portion of the budget to carry out a research component at the beginning of the project is crucial in developing the best understanding possible of the key issues and barriers in the local context.