Back to index
THE ILO-NORWAY PROGRAMME COOPERATION AGREEMENTS ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (2016-2023)
- eval_number:
- 511219
- eval_url:
- https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/511219
- lessons_learned:
- themes:
- theme:
- Programme sustainability
- category:
- Organizational issues
- comments:
- Programme staff at all levels
Donors
Constituents
Training and implementation partners
- challenges:
- The ILO's initiatives like the STED process or introducing RPL can generate quick successes and momentum. However, this progress also raises constituents' expectations regarding the continuation of results. Depending on the maturity of the country involved, additional technical advice and funding become essential beyond the initial two years so that these innovations can be absorbed by the system, its institutions and its actors. Without such continued support, initiatives may not scale or sustain, and there is a risk of compromising ILO's credibility and reputation as a competent agency, especially in developing countries.
- success:
- The two-year funding approach is particularly effective in the following scenarios:
a) To provide flexibility at global and regional levels to develop and test innovations and leverage good practices for broader replication and dissemination
b) When ILO aims to establish presence in a country and seeks to promote tripartite governance for skills policy and programme development to strengthen the ecosystem. As shown with the STED process, this modality can generate a quick win, visibility and momentum, but it also raises expectations amongst constituents for taking the achieved results forward. Depending on the maturity of the country, additional technical advice and funding may be needed after the initial two years. This is particularly relevant in the developing country context which have poor funding and weak governance and a weak skills system.
c) When there is local technical capacity available or other ongoing programmes, the ILO can address specific gaps to enhance VET governance, policies, and deliver complementary services for greater coherence
- context:
- Partner countries and their constituents have an articulated need for technical support from the ILO to address skills governance, skills anticipation, and mismatch. Countries with mature labour market institutions and VET systems require less follow up support or no programme related funding in comparison to countries with weak institutions and training capacities.
- description:
- The effectiveness of NORAD’s contribution to achieve sustainability depends on the maturity level of a country’s governance and skills system. The ILO NORAD partnership has built ILO’s capacity to better adapt programme interventions to the current needs of participating countries and has allowed for timely and relevant responses, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and political crises. However, the main challenges include maintaining focus and delivering sustainable results within short timeframes, especially in fragile countries. The evaluators acknowledge the benefits of the two-year funding approach to mobilise the right stakeholders, and build understanding and ownership for innovations. However, the effectiveness and potential sustainability depends on the country's context and the maturity of its VET system and governance to absorb these new innovations. In situations where the ILO lacks a presence, and where countries have weak VET governance and institutions, commitment to a longer programme and stronger team presence are required, which is critical for institutionalization. An assessment tool to better understand the strategic entry points and determine length and depth of engagement in a country can strengthen the planning of initiatives and the ILO’s position when negotiating with funding agencies.
- administrative_issues:
- Staff capacities to be built for assessment of maturity level of countries VET system and willingness of critical stakeholders such as government ministries, private sector bodies
Define scope of the programme jointly with donors and constituents and ensure funding for staff and programme activities over a longer period of time.
- url:
- https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/lessons/511278
- location:
- country:
- Ethiopia
- region:
- Global
- country:
- Malawi
- region:
- Global
- country:
- Lebanon
- region:
- Global
- country:
- Ghana
- region:
- Global
- country:
- Senegal
- region:
- Global
- country:
- United Republic of Tanzania
- region:
- Global
- eval_title:
- THE ILO-NORWAY PROGRAMME COOPERATION AGREEMENTS ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (2016-2023)
Skip to top
