Skip to main content

Community activism

LESSON

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

Activities were focused on rewriting existing Mukim bylaws instead of using existing laws to build context-based alternative models.
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
LESSON

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

The project could have capitalised on existing successful natural resource governance models and fostered exchanges of experiences among Mukim communities. The needs that should have been addressed by the project involved strengthening of Mukim capacity to rule and manage their natural resources with a good knowledge of local constraints and specificities. Therefore, sharing lessons learned from other Mukims or other indigenous communities’ experiences could have played a key role in disseminating methodologies and techniques about governing natural resources.
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
LESSON

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

Activities were focused on rewriting existing Mukim bylaws instead of using existing laws to build context-based alternative models.
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
LESSON

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

Strategic weaknesses in the project’s design and needs assessment undermined the project’s relevance. The project did not capture the contextual information needed for project implementation and therefore the issues faced by Mukims were not adequately addressed during the design and implementation phases. As a consequence, activities were not related to priority issues.
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
LESSON

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

The inclusion of baseline data was a good idea, but the survey carried out by the grantee used unrealistic indicators which made it difficult to measure changes and impact. The baseline data did not clearly identify the nature of the Mukims’ weaknesses in dealing with the community, village and local government which resulted in inappropriate activities and ultimately in inadequate appreciation of 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
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
LESSON

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

The reasons for selecting the five Mukims from among the 755 that exist in Banda Aceh, were not clear. The locations of the five chosen led to high expenditure on travel with little left for actual on site activities and microprojects. Given the grantee had longstanding working experience with Mukims, it was surprising that the grantee did not select those Mukims with which it had already collaborated in the past.
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
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

While participants from civil society organizations and platforms welcomed training provided by the grantee to improve CSO management and coordination they were not necessarily ready to implement the new skills acquired if it required additional resources. For the same reasons, the enhancement of platform and CSO leaders’ management skills did not necessarily result in additional advocacy activities. The project’s relevance could have been enhanced, by providing incentives for platforms to develop joint advocacy or campaigns.
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

Some of the training participants experienced a change in attitude leading to greater understanding of the importance of strategic thinking, institutional development and joint work among CSOs. Other CSO participants revealed that the CSO profile report that was issued by the project as one of the first outputs opened their eyes about how currently ineffective NGO platforms were and the extensive need for dedicated work to reinforce civil society coordination structures.
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Initiative to Build Social Movements in Sierra Leone

The project lacked a sufficient analysis of the challenges to coordination among civil society and of CSOs’ views about the role of platforms nor did it include provisions to follow up the training with support for platforms, coaching for managers or encouragement of joint advocacy activities
Project Partner
Network Movement for Justice and Development
Project Description
The main objective of the project was to strengthen national civil society platforms to become more organized, cohesive, confident and effective to bring about social change in their communities. The expected outcomes were: well-coordinated, cohesive and properly managed civil society platforms that are inclusive and gender sensitive; visionary, committed and confident leadership steering these platforms and keeping them functional; a capacity building programme in place that facilitates the strengthening and sustained engagement of the civil society platforms. The project involved activities such as training on conflict transformation and organizational management skills; consultations within and amongst existing coordination platforms of civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as facilitated strategy sessions and retreats, and public meetings aimed at engaging with political decision-makers at national and provincial levels. The project, originally planned to last 24 months from 1st October 2012, was eventually implemented over 35 months, ending 31st August 2015, mainly as a result of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and subsequent crisis The project was relevant, in that it correctly identified the need for improved coordination and enhanced capacity within and among Sierra Leone civil society platforms. It was also relevant in that the training approach that was at the core of the project was well designed and met identified needs.
Evaluation Date
May 2016
Country