PROJECT
Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
The project’s responses to unexpected problems in security were reasonable and effective, but were ad hoc in nature rather than based on any risk assessment and management strategy. Particularly since the project was designed with Egypt’s election schedule in mind, the risk of delays and disruptions might have been foreseeable.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
While decentralization of activities is a positive goal, in times of political volatility and security challenges, extending democracy support beyond the capital can lead to organizational and logistical problems. Given these challenges, the project decided it was safer to bring people from the regions to the capital rather than trying to export activities from the capital to the regions.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
Because of strong and inclusive design and effective facilitation, at the workshop level, even groups comprised of very diverse and sometimes deeply opposed political interests were able to learn and work together. This project demonstrated that in Egypt a politically inclusive approach at the grass-roots level can succeed.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
While the grantee provided some data on impact at the individual level, such as greater likelihood of voting and adherence to a political party, no information was provided on how these were arrived at. The grantee could have invested effort in trying to devise individual-level indicators of impact, both qualitative and quantitative, that it can apply in future work.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
Despite the emphasis on social media and development of trainees’ ICT skills, there was no strong evidence that project beneficiaries stayed in contact or used the ICT skills required to engage in robust advocacy campaigns as per the project's goals. More attention should have been paid to promoting post-workshop networks.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enlarging the Social Base for Democracy and the Rule of Law in Egypt
While social media can leverage democratization efforts, they cannot substitute for the legal and constitutional work, watchdog monitoring, and other nuts-and-bolts activities that make civil society a catalyst for democracy.
Project Partner
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Project Description
The context of the project was the period of intense political activity and instability in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Within a highly volatile environment that included repression of civil society organisations and democracy advocates, the project gave special emphasis to training in the use of social media to stimulate citizen journalism and free exchange of thoughts. Overall the project was relevant in view of the focus on youth which was well supported by baseline assessments that identified low youth participation in democratic processes. It was also important in view of the overall political environment leading up to elections during the time of the project implementation. The focus on social media was also relevant and effective given the role it had played as a catalyst of the Arab Spring.
Report
Evaluation Date
April 2013
Theme
Country