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Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project (LEED+) - Final evaluation

eval_number:

3552

eval_url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/3552

location:

country:

Sri Lanka

region:

Asia and the Pacific

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eval_title:

Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project (LEED+) - Final evaluation

recommendations:

date:

2023-12-06 00:00:00.0

themes:

theme:

Conditions of work & equality

category:

Gender equality

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comments:

1. Carry out gender assesment for the PAVE project (building on the earlier phase of the LEED+ project) 2. Develop and document a comprehensive Gender and Inclusion Strategy, incorporating clear principles and selection criteria for PAVE project 3. Carry out the gender strategy of the PAVE project

action_plan:

The project management team partially agrees with point a and disagrees with points b and c. Despite not having a formal gender and disability inclusion strategy in writing, appropriately, gender and disability were integrated into its interventions and outputs. These aspects were prominently reflected across different levels of project outcomes. In addition indicators have been identified to assess disability and gender aspects at different level (Output, Outcome and Impact) and collected disaggregated data of gender and disability against all possible indicators and tried best to analysed data and information against them. In terms of beneficiary selection criteria, the project maintained transparent communication with all partners and sought consultation with relevant divisional secretariats and technical departments to finalize beneficiary selection Ex: Department of Agriculture for farming and the Department of Manpower and Employment for promoting opportunities for disabled individuals. In response to point b, the LEED plus project, utilizing a Market System Development approach, primarily focused on mobilizing targeted farmers within the value chain. This inclusive business strategy involved enhancing farming skills, modern agricultural practices, technology utilization, and allocating more resources to support vulnerable farmers, including women, men, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The project deviated from conventional community mobilization approaches centered on self-help groups and savings. It's important to acknowledge that the project faced limitations in terms of resources, time, and other constraints, which affected the comprehensive addressing (gender and disability perspectives) of every issue. Nonetheless, the project consistently aimed to respond effectively to the real needs of the targeted groups within the context. Regrading point c of the recommendation, the project had a dedicated gender and disability focal point formerly providing trained staff for gender and disability inclusion activities. The project also engaged national and international gender consultants to provide timely expertise and advice to address the gaps. However, setback occurred when the gender officer left in mid 2022. Despite attempts to recruit a replacement, the project was unable to secure a suitable candidate due to a lack of high-quality applications. Consequently, the project leveraged the knowledge and skills of existing team members to continue the planned activities in collaboration with the project's gender and disability focal point.

management_response:

Completed

progress:

Achieved

admin_units:

CO-Colombo

title:

6. Focus of Gender and Inclusion: In future, Project’s with focus on gender and inclusion should consider the following: (a) As an inception activity, prepare the gender and inclusion strategy setting out the principles and clear criteria for selection of beneficiaries; (b) Activities on gender and inclusion should not be conducted as standalone activities; rather inclusion of social mobilisation (self-help approach or equivalent models), psycho-social interventions, and savings and lending at community level should be integrated into gender and inclusion agenda to ensure sustainability of the interventions. (c) Activities on gender and inclusion needs regular technical back-stopping by trained staff; it is important that appropriate trained staff are available for mentoring and monitoring of interventions involving gender and inclusion so that the actions can be sustained by the community once the project is over. (d) The work of the Department of Manpower & Employment has shown difficulties of PwDs maintaining their jobs; detailed analysis of the background to this situation and the reasons for the situation will be useful to map out any future interventions involving job placements for PwDs.

project_symbols:

LKA/18/01/MUL

url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/recommendations/17573

information_source:

Country Office

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