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Durable solutions for Somali refugee returnees and IDPs in Baidoa through promoting immediate and sustainable livelihoods - Final evaluation

eval_number:

2419

eval_url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/2419

lessons_learned:

themes:

theme:

Organizational learning

category:

Organizational issues

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comments:

ILO, MMCI, Local authority, relevant ministries, UNHCR, other partners, IDPs, Refugees, Host Community.

challenges:

The main challenge related to understanding of underlying interests is that the various interests are normally never written down or visible for all to see. They require one to be extra keen on what is not spoken, and the undertones. At the same time it is also not possible to satisfy the interest of each individual or group. This therefore means as much as underlying interest are understood, not all can be satisfied meaning that compromises have to be made and agreed upon.

success:

Understanding of the underlying interest and dynamics enabled the project to better manage the community expectations. For example, it was easier for the project to accommodate 4 extra trainees in ‘Do Nou’ skills transfer and achieve a fair distribution of beneficiaries across the villages in Baidoa, than to ignore them and risk disruptions by disgruntled community members.

context:

Following decades of internal conflict, infiltration of militia groups, a strong clan structure, and diversity among the community members, any occurrences are bound to be interpreted differently by different individuals and often with suspicion. This may often lead to misinterpretation that can pose challenges and threats to the project.

description:

Need to understand the underlying interests and dynamics in a context like Baidoa if the project is to be successful: This lesson was applicable across the entire project period. Baidoa is largely a negotiated space where different dynamics were at play. On one had there is an administration that strives to maintain security. On the other hand militia groups were also quite active. Clan dynamics were part of the day to day affairs of the areas including politics. This was compounded by the presence of IDPs, Refugees as well as the host community. All these dynamics present diverse interests which need to be properly understood for things to progress in harmony. These necessitated the mapping of stakeholders and further the profiling and screening of beneficiaries and joint selection of those to benefit from the grants.

administrative_issues:

Often all interests are accommodated within the available resources. However, there is need to always allocate funds for stakeholder mapping and allow such minimal flexibility as required to balance any emerging interests.

url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/lessons/213899

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location:

country:

Somalia

region:

Africa

---

eval_title:

Durable solutions for Somali refugee returnees and IDPs in Baidoa through promoting immediate and sustainable livelihoods - Final evaluation