Client: Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network)
Region: East Africaa
Period: 2021

Project description:
The “We Cannot Wait: Towards an Inclusive and Diverse Women’s Movement in the Greater Horn of

Africa (WCW)” project is led by an entirely Southern-based consortium of organizations and is

focused on building an inclusive and cohesive women’s movement in the Greater Horn of Africa

(GHoA). The Power of Women programme enables organizations such as SIHA and its partners in the

Global South to shift power to indigenous women’s organizations and in turn share its power with

grassroots individuals and groups. The overall objective of the consultancy was to strengthen project Monitoring and evaluation skills among consortium members and give guidance to sharpen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the existing WCW Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Framework’ through reflection and training.

Three training sessions were provided, 6 monitoring tools were designed and rolled out in the consortium, IATI results reporting was supported and the baseline study was linked to the WCW monitoring framework.

Project Scope:
The We Cannot Wait programme started in January 2021 and runs until December 2025. The programme is implemented in the following countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Project and monitoring staff from all countries and all partner organisations involved, participated in the trainings.

Result:
Several training sessions were conducted in order to enhance a generic knowledge within the WCW staff on data quality and data collection in combination with clear reporting tools, Dutch MoFA PMEL requirements, and WCW monitoring tools and templates to fulfil those requirements. Participants gained a basic understanding of MEL principles and concepts. In addition, participants learned how to report on the programme in IATI. Finally, six monitoring tools were developed and rolled out in the WCW consortium.

Client: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Region: Eastern Europe
Period: 2021

Project description:

It is well known that societies with greater gender equality are more stable and prosperous. Research on women, peace, and security provides strong evidence that women’s empowerment and gender equality are associated with more peaceful and stable outcomes. In this light, the OSCE Gender section contracted Manon de Courten and Karin van den Belt to conduct a baseline study of the Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality (WIN) project. The baseline study is meant to be used as a basis for comparison to determine progress towards project objectives and for accountability, steering and learning purposes.

Project Scope:

The main goal of the Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality (WIN) project is to advance gender equality as a necessary prerequisite for achieving and maintaining stable, prosperous and peaceful societies in the OSCE area. The project aims to accelerate the implementation of the OSCE 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. To achieve this, the project is built on three pillars: the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda, women’s economic and environmental governance (EE) and combating violence against women and girls (VAWG). To enable measurement of progress and identify lessons learned from the project, an evaluation agenda has been established, consisting of the present baseline study (2021), a mid-term evaluation (2022) and a final evaluation (2024).

Result:

The baseline study revealed that in the first year of the programme many normative frameworks are in place, on average ten normative frameworks (laws, policies, Action Plans, strategies) in each target country. However, coordination of implementation and monitoring across government agencies and with civil society is limited. Also, the capacity of government officials to use and refer to international frameworks concentrates on the most comprehensive and well-known frameworks (UNSCR 1325, CEDAW, SDGs and Beijing+25). CSOs working in the area of women's rights have sound knowledge and skills on gender equality and the use of gender tools. Furthermore, more than half of the women working as police and border professionals surveyed report sufficient, confident or even teaching ability and knowledge on gender equality, VAW and WPS, and skills on gender mainstreaming. Most of the networks targeting a relevant audience for the WIN baseline study are national networks. Cooperation within networks is generally strong as CSOs allocate resources for networking activities, information is shared systematically, joint activities are conducted within networks, advocacy targets are identified and engaged with, and networks contribute to policy discussions. However, only one third report exerting influence upon decisions during these events.

Client: Down to Zero alliance (TdH NL)
Region: Asia and Latin America
Period: 2018

Project description:
Down to Zero is an SRHR Strategic Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) consisting of the following five alliance partners: Plan Netherlands, Terre des Hommes, ICCO, DCI-Ecpat and Free a Girl. The consultancy included the designing of and participating in Down to Zero’s Mid Term Review, which was commissioned to MDF. Processing Outcome Harvesting data and generating outcome stories for Annual report and MTR was among her task. Designing evaluation methodology to assess the alliance’ MEL system as part of the MTR. Assessing the capacity development of partners against capacity baseline values using an OCA tool developed in 2016. Training 11 country teams in data collection for MTR using Alliance Thermometer tool, Sprockler surveys and Outcome harvesting. Online coaching was provided during implementation of MTR.

Project Scope:
The Down to Zero alliance programme is implemented in 10 countries in Asia and Latin America. The total 5-years programme budget amounts 15.000.000 Euro.

Result:
The MEL support resulted in an effective data collection process implemented within the DtZ alliance. In addition, a report on the enhance capacity of DtZ partners was produced.

Client: Free a Girl
Region: South Asia (Nepal)
Period: 2021

Project description:
Free a Girl is dedicated to fight child prostitution and impunity. Free a Girl rescued more than 4,500 minor girls worldwide. As well as rescues, they focus on prevention, tackling impunity, lobbying and advocacy, and rehabilitating and reintegrating the girls. Free a Girl works with fourteen partner organizations in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Iraq, Laos, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Thailand.
Women and children in Nepal are vulnerable to human trafficking because of poverty, illiteracy, natural
disasters and patriarchal social norms. Nepal is considered a destination and transit country for child
trafficking. Every year 6,000-12,000 girls from Nepal are taken to various destinations around the
world, mainly India and the Middle East for various forms of forced labour and commercial (sexual)
exploitation. The Nepal Alliances project is a project where the two partners Maiti Nepal and Shakti
Samuha cooperate to enhance and strengthen their cooperation and use each other’s expertise since
2017. A programme evaluation was conducted by BfW Services with the following objectives:
• Objective 1: To assess if the intended output, outcome, and impact of the Program are realized and the extent of Free a Girl’s (partner) contribution towards the change.
• Objective 2: To assess Free a Girl’s performance against the key research questions of Relevance, Effectiveness, Impact, Sustainability, Scalability and Lessons learned.

Project Scope:
The Impact assessment focussed on the Nepal Alliance Programme. The programme has been running since 2017 until end 2020. At the time of the Impact assessment the programme had ended its implementation. The evaluation focussed on outcome and impact level results and made use of (online) Key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions.

Result:
The impact assessment revealed that Programme interventions were relevant in responding to beneficiaries needs related to individual rescue, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration
as well as the social and political climate and attitudes towards victims such as unfavourable policies, institutional arrangements and practices. Assessing the programme’s effectiveness from a quantitative perspective, it is clear that this programme was particularly effective in having a holistic approach and tackling all aspects of trafficking. When analysing the ToC, data collected suggest the strongest impact is achieved in relation to investigation & rescue, service provision & rehabilitation, and re-integration. Hence, the programme was strong in contributing to SEC survivors returning to their communities or starting a life independently in a new community. Also, some of the interventions are expected to sustain. This is particularly seen in individual capacities of primary stakeholders, especially those who are working and living economically independent lives.

Client:Plan International Nepal
Region:Nepal
Period:2018

Project description:
The Girls Advocacy Alliance is a Strategic Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs consisting of the following three alliance partners: Plan Netherlands, Terre des Hommes and DCI-ECPAT. The alliance aims to eradicate Gender Based Violence and enhance Economic Empowerment of girls and young women. The consultancy included the designing of and implementation of a Mid Term Review in partnership with The Gateway Consultancy. Desk review, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Appreciative Inquiry based on Outcome stories were among the methodologies used.
Project Scope:
The Mid Term Review focussed on the Nepal country programme of the Girls Advocacy Alliance which is one of 14 sub-programmes. The programme has been running since 2016 and will continue till end 2020. At the time of the MTR the programme was half-way in its implementation. The total 5-years Nepal GAA programme budget amounts 1.760.000 Euro.

Result:
In general the MTR revealed that half-way the 5 years programme, agenda setting for all four key stakeholders (communities, government, CSOs and private sector), has been achieved. Furthermore, for the stakeholders CSOs and Communities, also policy changes have been witnessed. The remaining programme period will focus on continued lobby and advocacy in order to also bring about practice changes regarding eliminating Gender-Based Violence and achieve Economic Empowerment for women.

Client:Plan International Bangladesh
Region:Bangladesh
Period:2018

Project description:
The Girls Advocacy Alliance is a Strategic Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs consisting of the following three alliance partners: Plan Netherlands, Terre des Hommes and DCI-ECPAT. The alliance aims to eradicate Gender Based Violence and enhance Economic Empowerment of girls and young women. The consultancy included the designing of and implementation of a Mid Term Review in partnership with The Gateway Consultancy. Desk review, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Appreciative Inquiry based on Outcome stories were among the methodologies used.
Project Scope:
The Mid Term Review focussed on the Bangladesh country programme of the Girls Advocacy Alliance which is one of 14 sub-programmes. The programme has been running since 2016 and will continue till end 2020. At the time of the MTR the programme was half-way in its implementation. The total 5-years Bangladesh GAA programme budget amounts 3.411.719 Euro.
Result:
In general the MTR revealed that half-way the 5 years programme, agenda setting for all four key stakeholders (communities, government, CSOs and private sector), has been achieved. Furthermore, for the Government stakeholder most progress is achieved beyond agenda setting on levels of policy change and practice change. For CSOs and Communities, also policy changes have been witnessed. The remaining programme period will focus on continued lobby and advocacy in order to also bring about practice changes regarding eliminating Gender-Based Violence and achieve Economic Empowerment for women for other stakeholders besides Government.

Client:Child Helpline International
Region:Global
Period:2019

Project description:
As of August 2019 Mrs van den Belt started as the MEL Consultant of Child Helpline International. This role entails the review, revise and launch of the overall framework of monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects in accordance with Child Helpline’s International strategy. Specifically, the ToC has been refined and incorporated in the MEL system as a reflection tool, MEL guidelines are developed, data collection and analysis tools are drafted.
Project Scope:
The MEL system developed and implemented in Child Helpline International is an organisational framework that covers all programmes and projects implemented by Child Helpline International’s members and staff. This includes child protection programmes in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Result:
A complete new MEL system has been designed for Child Helpline International, with the purpose of monitoring the impact of major programmes and the organisational multi annual strategy. As a result of the MEL support provided in 2019, and overall learning and MEL culture is stimulated in CHI through training and capacity building of core staff.

Client:Edukans
Region:Global
Period:2019

Project Description:
During 2019, Mrs van den Belt is assigned as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Consultant for Edukans. Edukans is an organisation focussing on improving quality of education and vocational training in order to increase livelihood options for vulnerable young men and women. In 2018 Mrs van den Belt reviewed and finetuned the existing draft ToC and designed a MEL system for Edukans. This system includes pre- and post-training surveys, reporting templates, capacity assessment tools, qualitative reflection meetings and Outcome harvesting. The assignment in 2019 consists of supervising the implementation of the newly designed MEL system, building and implementing a research and learning agenda, ensure quality impact measurement and reporting. Continuous coaching is provided to Edukans PME coordinator.
Project Scope:
The PMEL system developed and implemented in Edukans is an organisational framework that covers all programmes and projects implemented by Edukans partners and staff. This includes quality education and skills development programmes in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Result:
The new PMEL system for Edukans has been designed (2018) and implemented (2019). As a result of the PMEL support provided in 2019, a learning and evidence informed programming approach is created in Edukans. In addition, PMEL support is provided for new programmes and projects or funding applications.