Evaluation of Triple Nexus Programme for Sustainable Development

Case Study Title Evaluation of Triple Nexus Programme for Sustainable Development Date Published 23Dec2021 Type of Client International Aid Agency Focus Area Evaluation Case Synopsis Altamont Group completed an end of programme evaluation for our client’s “Triple Nexus Programme: Addressing the Imbalance – Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Fragile Contexts.”The programme was developed and funded by Sweden’s Government and implemented by our client with the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University as a third-party learning partner. Case Summary We were tasked with conducting a thorough evaluation of the program “Addressing the Imbalance – Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Fragile Contexts, in Kenya, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines from March 2018 to February 2021. The evaluation aimed to determine the extent to which the program met its three proposed outcomes:· Review the program Theory of Change and· Assess the validity of pathways and assumptions, and· Identify lessons and good practices from the program to inform similar triple nexus (humanitarian-development-peacebuilding) program approaches within the organization and the wider sector. To achieve this, our team members in Kenya and Pakistan conducted document reviews, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and utilized an efficient Outcomes Harvesting Tool. Remote data collection methods were used in the Philippines and Indonesia. Background The final evaluation of the program titled “Addressing the Imbalance – Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Fragile Contexts” was implemented by our client in Kenya, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines.The programme was a multi-year, multi-country triple nexus initiative focusing on peacebuilding and social cohesion.The program ran from March 2018 to February 2021.The objective of this evaluation was to assess the overall impact, effectiveness and sustainability of the program in contributing to conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts in these fragile contexts.Our client then partnered with Altamont Group to help them carry out an end of the programme evaluation. Altamont Group was tasked with assessing the extent to which planned outputs and outcomes were achieved using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) DAC- Development Assistance Committee criteria for evaluating humanitarian action and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and identify lessons and good practice from the programme to inform similar triple nexus (humanitarian- development- peacebuilding) programme approaches in the future, including making recommendations of changes to the Theory of Change and programme approach. Problem Our client assigned us the responsibility of conducting an evaluation to assess the program’s performance in achieving its three proposed outcomes. Additionally, we were also tasked to review the program’s Theory of Change and carefully evaluate the validity of its pathways and assumptions..Through the impeccable evaluation carried out by Altamont Group, it was found out that our client, through its Triple Nexus Programme managed to achieve significant results across the targeted countries in a very challenging environment that included natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, long histories of conflict, transitional local governance, and unstablesecurity situations. Solution For the success of the evaluation, our team members in Kenya and Pakistan conducted:Document reviews,Key Informant Interviews (KIIs),Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), andUtilized an Outcomes Harvesting Tool. Remote data collection methods were used in the Philippines and Indonesia. The team also focused on the key areas of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL), Workshop Facilitation, Report Writing, KII & FGDs, Outcomes Harvesting Tool, KII Protocol, FGD Protocol, Country Level Workshop PPTs, and Global Level Workshop PPT. The evaluation process involved a rigorous methodology that included a comprehensive review of the program’s outputs and outcomes using the OECD DAC criteria for evaluating humanitarian action and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). Our team also assessed the validity of the program’s Theory of Change and made evidence-based recommendations for changes to the ToC and program approach. The team identified lessons and good practices from the program that could inform similar program approaches in the future. Impact The implementation of the programme by our client and partnering with Altamont Group in evaluation was successful. From the evaluation, it was proven that one of the key strengths of the programme was the adoption of the triple nexus approach which gave our client some leverage in:Addressing peace needs while focusing on emerging, immediate humanitarian needs;Building longer term effects through individual and community level behavioural change and trust building;Addressing livelihood needs particularly of youth and women;and enhancing formal and informal institutional capacities. From the evaluation, it was also clear that the programme contributed to its respective collaborative outcomes statements across the four countries to a significant extent, thereby showing the ability of a programme with collaborative planned outcomes to achieve common results in terms of changes in behaviour and attitudes at the individualbehavioural level, at the community level, and the institutional level. Conclusion Through our evaluation, we provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the program and identified opportunities for improvement. Our rigorous evaluation methodology and evidence- based recommendations equipped our client with valuable information to inform their future program development and implementation in the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors. The evaluation carried out by Altamont Group highlighted the program’s achievements in challenging contexts and emphasized the importance of the triple nexus approach in addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term peace. Overall, AG contributes to its client’s efforts to make a positiveimpact in fragile contexts.

Evaluation of Triple Nexus Programme for Sustainable Development Read More »