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Community activism

LESSON

Lesson Learned: House of Initiatives by and for Syrian Women in Reyhanli

A community and resource centre open not only to women refugees but also to local women is a significant opportunity to fight xenophobic sentiment and discriminatory discourse.
Project Partner
Mandat International
Project Description
The project aims to create a capacity building programme for approximately one hundred Syrian women currently refugees in Turkey, so as to increase their opportunity to fully participate in the democratic, economic and reconstruction processes during the post-conflict period. This will be implemented as an extension and development of the initial Zeytuna Project financed by UNDEF. The activities under this second phase will bring together in one house some of the projects developed by the women during the initial phase The centre will help the participants to ensure the sustainability of their projects by providing a common area where they will be able to share a number of resources (human, material and financial) both empowering them as well as inspiring other Syrian women to conduct similar spin-off projects.
Evaluation Date
February 2019
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Compromise is often a necessary element of successful advocacy processes. Imperfect legislation for pedestrian’s rights can be better than no legislation, particularly when amendments can be introduced later.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Ensure that  projects explicitly consider and raise awareness regarding the differentiated needs of vulnerable groups and establish partnerships with women’s organizations and CSO’s representing other marginalized communities.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Seeing is believing: Innovative techniques based on demonstration and experiential learning can be powerful tools for awareness raising.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Consider developing formal partnerships with research organizations or think tanks, particularly those specialized in related topics such as public transportation.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Getting a law passed is only the beginning. Monitoring and further advocacy may be needed to ensure the law is implemented.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

Consider revenue generating mechanisms including: membership fees; services fees; and private sector support; and build on project success to develop spin-off products that can be presented to international donors.

Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

A CSO’s search for sustainability is never-ending. Every new project should include the “seeds” - innovative strategies -  of future sustainability. Additionally, since securing funds from a specific international donor can take months or years, CSOs should continue fundraising and cultivating donors even in relatively “flush” times.
Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Advancing Pedestrian Rights in Georgia

There is value in courting controversy: Strategies seen as controversial can generate more media buzz and can capture public attention.

Project Partner
Iare Pekhit
Project Description
 The project was generated by UNDEF itself, which approached the grantee and asked it to design the initiative as a response to the asymmetrical power balance between cars and humans in many post-Soviet cities. The project objective was “To create a systematic long-term approach and corresponding tools to effectively impact pedestrian strategy development and state accountability to pedestrian policy development and execution.” The project focus was timely and relevant. The project approach was innovative and agile in adapting to shifts in the context. The project achieved its objectives and was cost-efficient and well managed. Although it faces sustainability challenges, the project approach and grantee could potentially adapt and tailor their work to both international donors and other interested stakeholders. UNDEF’s flexible approach; initiative in generating project ideas; and willingness to generate a project in partnership with a small organization in response to a particular need are valuable assets in the context of this project.
Evaluation Date
January 2018
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Developing alternative models of natural resource governance based on indigenous community participation in Aceh

In the absence of performance data it was difficult to assess the project’s impact. It was probable that Mukim members who undertook the trainings about alternative models of natural resource management increased their knowledge. However without tracking progress against baseline information it was impossible to determine the extent to which awareness was raised. This shows the importance of not only measuring activity outputs, but elaborating a results-based project performance and monitoring plan from the project beginning to track progress made towards achieving outcomes and to measure results.
Project Partner
Perkumpulan Prodeelat
Project Description
The project’s objective was to strengthen the capacities of selected local Mukim communities in the Aceh province of Indonesia. A Mukim is a subdivision of a subdistrict and comprise of a number of villages. The aim of the project was to develop, advocate for and implement an alternative model of natural resource governance that promotes the participation and protects the rights of local communities, fosters environmental sustainability, and advances the interests of vulnerable and marginalized populations. The grantee’s approach was inspired by alternative governance models previously implemented by other local Mukim communities. At the time of project implementation, the legal framework which recognizes the Mukims’s authority and asserts its rights to manage its natural resources under Aceh's Special Autonomy status was not yet enforced. As Mukims represent indigenous communities in Aceh, the intended strategy was suited to the need of enhancing the credibility of Mukims. The existing Mukim associations had not previouslyt been in district policy making since they lacked visions, skills, orientations and strategies to build equal relations with public and governmental authorities.
Evaluation Date
July 2016
Country