Final Evaluation of the Project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire

Transcription

1 Final Evaluation of the Project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire A project implemented by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in Côte d Ivoire with support from the US Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Final Report Clotilde Gouley (Lead evaluator) Quentin Kanyatsi (SFCG evaluator) August 2010

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3 Table of content List of abbreviations and acronyms... 2 Executive summary Introduction Evaluation scope and methodology Evaluation objectives and approach Data collection methods Challenges and limitations Context and project overview Youth at stake in the Ivorian crisis and crisis-recovery process Project overview Evaluation findings Relevance Effectiveness Coherence and coordination Reflecting on the findings: conclusions Recommendations Annexes Box 1. Peaceful resolution of a transportation conflict in Tiazalé, through interactive theater Box 2. How SFCG s radio program helped to resolve a conflict over villages boundary delimitation Box 3. Resistance to political manipulation Figure 1. Gender ratio in SFCG s workshops Figure 2. Political affiliation among participants who registered as member of a political party. 23 Figure 3. Knowledge about conflict prevention and mitigation Figure 4. Knowledge about citizenship and democracy Figure 5. Youth participation in conflict prevention and management Figure 6. Youths engagement in a dialogue with other youths from different political backgrounds

4 List of abbreviations and acronyms APO CEI COJEP DRC DRL FESCI FGD FN FPI GTZ ICG IDP MSAD NGO OECD - DAC PDCI-RDA PIT RPP RDR SFCG ToR UDCY UDPCI UN UNDP UNG US Accord politique de Ouagadougou (Ouagadougou Political Agreement) Commission electoral indépendante (Indepedant Electoral Commission) Congrès panafricain des jeunes et des patriotes (Pan-African Congress of the Young Patriots) Danish Refugee Council United States Department of State s Bureau of Democracy Human Rights, and Labor Fédération estudiantine et scolaire de Côte d Ivoire (Student Federation of Cote d Ivoire) Focus Group Discussion Forces nouvelles (New Forces) Front populaire ivoirien (Ivorian Popular Front) German Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (German Technical Cooperation) International Crisis Group Internationally Displaced Person Mouvement aux actions de développement de Bouaké (Movement for Development Actions in Bouaké) Non Governmental Organization Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Development Assistance Committee Parti démocratique de Côte d Ivoire - Rassemblement démocratique africain (Democratic Party of Côte d Ivoire African Democratic Rally) Parti ivorien des travailleurs (Ivorian Worker s Party) Rassemblement pour la paix, le progès et le partage (Rally for Peace, Progress and Sharing) Rassemblement des Républicains (Rally of the Republicans) Search for Common Ground Terms of Reference Union démocratique citoyenne (Citizen's Democratic Union) Union pour la démocratie et la paix en Côte d Ivoire (Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'ivoire) United Nations United Nations Development Program Union des nouvelles generations (Union of New Generations) United States 2

5 Executive summary Project overview The project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire had the specific objectives to (1) increase youth s knowledge and skills of conflict resolution concepts and techniques as well as democratic principles and values, including diversity and tolerance; (2) build youth s confidence to play a key role in preventing manipulation and violence around the democratic process; and (3) promote and depoliticize the dialogue among diverse youth groups. SFCG has targeted youth members from political parties, youth opinion leaders, youth representatives from different religious and ethnic groups and youth associations with outreach activities, as well as the general youth population through media programming. The project has targeted towns in the Administrative Regions of Vallée du Bandama, des Lacs, Moyen-Cavally, Bas-Sassandra, des Savanes, 18 Montagnes and the Abidjan metropolitan area. The project has engaged Ivoirian youth through a conversation about leadership, delivered across a series of training and exchange workshops (24 workshops in 4 different regions across the country and 1 in Abidjan), follow-up sessions (22), supports for youth initiatives (e.g exchange sessions, theater performances), interactive theater workshops and radio programs (including the magazines Passerelle and Unis dans nos differences, and the radio soap operas L Equipe and Woro Woro Tour). Evaluation Scope In July 2010, SFCG contracted Clotilde Gouley (external evaluator, Team Leader) and Quentin Kanyatsi (SFCG s internal evaluator) to carry out the evaluation of the project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire. The evaluation s main objectives were: (1) to evaluate the results of the project; (2) to capture concrete examples of changes brought about by the project; and (3) to provide recommendations to improve future planning and for replication of similar youth project within the organization. The general purpose of this final evaluation was to provide a platform for learning, with insights into relevance, effectiveness, coherence and coordination. The evaluation formulated recommendations which could be useful for similar projects in the future, but also gave substantive accountability to the donor on the project achievements. To that end, the evaluation gathered both qualitative evidence to put lessons learnt in context, and quantitative facts and figures to reinforce these findings. The evaluation covered the eighteen month period of the project (from January 2009 to June 2010) and focused on two areas out of the seven areas targeted by the project (Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama). Key Findings Relevance in regards to the needs of the beneficiaries SFCG s project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire was highly relevant in regards to the country s general context and local conflict-prone environments in Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama. The project has addressed the 3

6 beneficiaries needs and priorities, such as youth leadership, political manipulation and conflict transformation, beyond the democratic process that largely focuses on the holding of presidential elections. In the Ivorian crisis, youth have regularly been manipulated to engage in anti-social behaviors, but they have been far less engaged in contributing to social debates with their own views and ideas. Evidence of politically-motivated violence, radicalization and political intolerance abound in all areas targeted by the project. Although the selection criteria and process (for the workshops) were not obvious, the evaluation has not found any major exclusion or inclusion bias. Participants were youth leaders from different social, political, ethnic and religious backgrounds. A great majority of those youth has demonstrated a high level of motivation. Effectiveness in increasing youth s knowledge and skills of conflict transformation All project s activities (conversation workshops, follow-up sessions, support to peace initiatives, interactive theater and radio programs) were highly valued and appreciated by the beneficiaries. Youth feel that they have considerably improved their knowledge and practical skills in conflict transformation and leadership. Gained knowledge has been optimized by a pragmatic strategy, guiding and supporting youth in their initiatives. In this regards, the follow-up sessions were very useful. The interaction of the project s components (trainings, exchange sessions, support to peace initiatives, radio programs and interactive theater) has reinforced the project s effectiveness. Youth who participated in the project s activities have developed an excellent set of skills expected from youth leaders: the ability to stand for their rights as citizen, the ability to resist negative pressures (political manipulation) and the ability to relate to other young people and members of their communities. SFCG s project has provided youth with self-transformation tools, allowing them, in their own words, to gain maturity and to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to fight against political manipulation and violence. Effectiveness in building youth s confidence to play a key role in preventing violence and manipulation The evaluation concludes on a positive sense of ownership of the project among youth leaders and an improved sense of responsibility as young citizens. First, with a different set of strategies, youth have transferred their new knowledge to their peers and in their communities. These strategies include neighborhood tours, face-to-face encounters, sensitization within youth s organizations, active participation in Listening Clubs, etc. Interactive theater has demonstrated to be a powerful sensitization tool, especially in rural areas. They have attracted large and diverse audiences in the villages, and have constituted excellent opportunities to engage dialogue within the communities on issues related to democracy, leadership, tolerance, political manipulation, and conflict transformation. 4

7 Secondly, by applying conflict resolution techniques that they had learned in SFCG s workshops, youth have demonstrated that they had internalized these new knowledge and skills. 59% of surveyed youth confirmed that they had participated in an activity with the goal of preventing or managing a conflict in the past year. The project did not only address political violence, but also a wide range of conflict drivers in targeted areas. The evaluation identified many different types of conflicts for which youth strove for peaceful resolution (familial, personal, scholar, political, identity, land, leadership, social and religious conflicts). The project has thus contributed to enabling youth to actively engage in peaceful conflict prevention and resolution. Youth have thus developed new abilities to influence their immediate environment (with their peers and within their communities) in a positive manner, toward nonviolence and attitude changes. Thus far, their influence in other spheres of decisionmaking (e.g in municipal, departmental or regional institutions) remains limited. Political leaders and local authorities may feel threatened by youth empowerment with new skills and knowledge. Effectiveness in promoting and depoliticizing dialogue among diverse youth groups There has been significant progress toward depoliticizing dialogue among youth and promoting tolerance. The project has contributed to raise awareness about political violence and manipulation. 64% of surveyed youth leaders who participated in SFCG s workshops confirmed that they had engaged in a dialogue around governance, economic or social issues with youths from other backgrounds over the past year. Although there is not much network connectivity between youth in practice (their initiatives remain isolated), they have demonstrated awareness of interdependence and a shared view on their role as a major actor in the democratic process. They understood that they need to find a way of expressing their group needs in a way that cannot be ignored. In Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama, youth leaders and their peers decided to attend together all political events in their villages and home towns, avoiding unnecessary confrontation between them and focusing on obtaining the positive aspects of various leaders messages. They now assert their right to be informed on political leaders programs and intentions. SFCG s radio programs have had a very positive effect in terms of openness and dialogue. They gave voice to people from very different political, ethnic and social backgrounds, and with an important geographic diversity. Coordination with other key actors SFCG has reinforced its partnership with local youth organizations (e.g in Bouaké with local NGOs), but the evaluation found that the coordination with other international partners or local authorities was limited. 5

8 Recommendations To SFCG In future similar projects, it may be appropriate to better clarify the selection process of the participants. Some tools seemed to be more effective in rural areas than in urban areas (e.g interactive theater), and vice-versa. Should different strategies and instruments be used for addressing youth and beneficiaries needs in urban and rural areas? It may be appropriate to reflect on context-specific tools for urban and rural areas. It may improve the project s effectiveness and sustainability to build a partnership with local authorities, particularly those in charge of youth at the national, regional and local levels. Field experience and academic research have demonstrated that gendered identities need to be taken into account in peacebuilding programs. It would be appropriate to reflect on a gender strategy to ensure greater participation of young women and greater responsiveness to their specific needs and challenges. SFCG may need to define more explicitely the key terms they use in the project (e.g youth, beneficiaries, leadership, etc.) To the donor(s) Given the encouraging results reached by SFCG s project, it would be recommended to extend the project s activities, not only in duration but also in regards to a larger geographic scale. Evaluation Methodology The evaluation was guided by a set of evaluation questions that were grouped into four main criteria: relevance, effectiveness, coherence and coordination. The criteria s definitions are in line with those provided by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The evaluation undertook a contribution analysis, through a multilevel approach. It looked at the effectiveness of each project s activity and of the interaction of activities, and assessed changes at the individual (knowledge, skills, behaviors and attitudes), community (e.g resources for conflict transformation), institutional (youth s involvement in decision-making processes) and intergroup levels (e.g conflict resolution among youth and depoliticized dialogue). With the purpose of enhancing the reliability of findings, the evaluation sought to triangulate data collection methods, sources of information and means of analysis. The evaluators gathered a mix of quantitative and qualitative datas by using five different tools, including a document review, a theory of change workshop with SFCG staff, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with participants to the project and beneficiaries, semi-structured individual interviews with key stakeholders and informants, and two surveys. 6

9 1 Introduction In September 2008, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) signed a contract with the United States (US) Department of State s Bureau of Democracy Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) to implement an 18-month project in Cote d Ivoire to strengthen youth capacity to mitigate conflict and promote tolerance. The project is entitled Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire. The project design 1 includes an evaluation plan providing guidelines to monitor and evaluate outputs and outcomes. This evaluation plan specifies that the final evaluation of the project should be carried out by a team including an external expert. SFCG has thus contracted Clotilde Gouley (external evaluator) as the evaluation s Team leader, and Quentin Kanyatsi (currently Country Director for SFCG in Guinea) as the internal evaluator. This evaluation report includes a presentation of the methodological framework, an overview of the project within its context, the evaluation findings and their analysis, conclusions reflecting on the results, recommendations and annexes. 1 See SFCG s project proposal to DRL. 7

10 2 Evaluation scope and methodology 2.1 Evaluation objectives and approach Objectives According to the project s Terms of Reference (ToR), the evaluation s main objectives are: To evaluate the results of the 18 month project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Cote d Ivoire ; To capture concrete examples of changes brought about by the project; To provide recommendations to improve future planning and for replication of similar youth project within the organization. The general purpose of this final evaluation is to provide a platform for learning, with insights into relevance, effectiveness, coherence and coordination. The evaluation formulates recommendations which could be useful for similar projects in the future, but also gives substantive accountability to the donor on the project achievements. To that end, the evaluation has gathered both qualitative evidence to put lessons learnt in context, and quantitative facts and figures to reinforce these findings. The evaluation s main intended users are Search for Common Ground staff and the donor (US Department of State s Bureau of Democracy Human Rights, and Labor). Secondary users include targeted public, partners (e.g local radios), final beneficiaries and related organizations (which work in the same field and areas) Evaluation framework The evaluation covers the eighteen month period of the project (from January 2009 to June 2010) and focuses on two areas out of seven targeted by the project (Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama). A workshop and interviews with SFCG staff provided complementary information on successes and challenges of the project in the other geographic areas. However, the fact that only two out of seven targeted areas were visited limits this evaluation s ability to draw general conclusions on the project 2. The evaluation is guided by a set of evaluation questions that are grouped into four main criteria: relevance, effectiveness, coherence and coordination. The criteria s definitions follow those developed by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 3 and can be found in Annex 7 (p 61). The evaluation questions matrix presented in Annex 2 (p 49) links the evaluation questions with indicators, data collection methods and sources of information. 2 On this point, see sub-section 2.3 Challenges and limitations, p SFCG s Design, Monitoring and Evaluation glossary is still at draft stage and does not include definitions of the main used criteria, which is why the evaluation team has applied the OECD-DAC s widely shared definitions. See OECD-DAC, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management. 8

11 A multi-level approach was necessary to capture the different perspectives needed to evaluate the project. First, effectiveness has been assessed for each type of activity (workshops with youth leaders and follow-up sessions, media (radio) partnership and interactive theater workshops) and at the project level (interaction of the project activities, effectiveness of SFCG s modus operandi). Secondly, the evaluation looked at different levels of change, disaggregated as follows: individual level (e.g knowledge, skills, behavior and attitudes, self-realization), community level (shared experiences, resources for conflict transformation and violence prevention), institutional level (youth involvement in decision-making process) and intergroup level (youth networks across different areas). Lastly, the evaluation analyzed the contribution of the project s outcomes to the ultimate objective of social cohesion (dialogue or conversation as a means to an end). The team adapted Kirkpatrick s four-level framework for training assessment to the evaluation needs and addressed the following for each component of the project: reaction (beneficiaries perceptions), learning (knowledge/skills gained), behavior and attitude (how youth leaders and their peers have used these skills) and result (what effect did the trainings, exchange sessions, theater performances and radio programs have on youth s environment). The evaluation undertook a contribution analysis. It is widely recognized that assigning attribution 4 for conflict prevention or social cohesion programs poses serious challenges (e.g complexity of the context and multiplicity of external interventions). The contribution approach recognizes that it takes time to achieve an impact and does not seek to prove an impact before it could be achieved. This report incorporates some comparative elements with findings and conclusions from the evaluation of the 18-month project entitled Youth and Non-Violence in Guinea. The evaluation process consisted of three main phases in the course of which a combination of techniques and tools has been used: Desk study: documental review and preparation of the evaluation (12/07/10 to 18/07/10); Field work in Côte d Ivoire (19/07/10 to 29/07/10), consisting of one day in Daloa (Haut- Sassandra), two and a half days in Bas-Sassandra, four days in Vallé du Bandama and half a day in Abidjan (Lagunes). In Bas-Sassandra, the team held activities in Sassandra and neighbouring towns of Tiazalé and Bassa; in Vallée du Bandama, the team investigated the project achievements in Bouaké and neighbouring towns of Djebonoua and Brobo. Analysis and report writing (30/07/10 to 12/08/10). 4 Attribution is defined as the ascription of a causal link between observed (or expected to be observed) changes and specific intervention (project activities). OECD-DAC, Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management, p17. 9

12 2.2 Data collection methods With the purpose of enhancing the reliability of findings, the evaluation sought to triangulate data collection methods, sources of information and means of analysis. The evaluators gathered a mix of quantitative and qualitative datas by using five different tools: document review, a theory of change workshop with SFCG staff, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with participants to the project and beneficiaries, semi-structured individual interviews with key stakeholders and informants, and two surveys. Data collection techniques are presented below. Documentation review A review of project documents and relevant reports related to country and regional context was conducted. SFCG provided key project documents to the evaluation during the preparation phase and additional reports during field work. Material examined includes: Project documents consisting of the project proposal, quarterly narrative reports to the donor, event reports, interview reports on the impact of the project (conducted by SFCG staff with participants), focus groups discussions reports, radio listeners survey reports and relevant documents related to project s monitoring tools. A general baseline study on civic awareness and democratic education, and reports from other SFCG s projects that were used as complementary baseline information. Evaluation report of a similar project implemented by SFCG in Guinea; Samples of radio programs (Woro Woro Tour, Unis dans nos differences, Passerelle and L Equipe); Background and context reports provided by SFCG and other organizations met during field work, or found by the evaluation team during desk study phase. Strategic papers related to other organizations work in visited areas (e.g United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Program for Social Cohesion and Youth Employment). Pro-governmental and opposition daily newspapers (Le Patriote, Le Nouveau Réveil, Notre Voie and L Expression) provided factual information and a sense of present social and political trends in Côte d Ivoire. Ivorian newspapers are highly politicized and reflect partisan debates: reading them gave a sense of what arguments may influence youth. All the documentary material that has been consulted is listed in Annex 8 (p 62). Theory of Change workshop The evaluation applied the theory of change approach to allow the project work team to think critically about the social changes they intend to achieve. In the preparation phase, it became apparent that there was no explicit theory of change in the project design 5. Therefore, the objective was not to test the theory of change, as it is typically done in evaluations, but to review key assumptions and draw out lessons that can improve future projects 5 The Terms of Reference mention two components for a theory of change: (1) A shift of values reaching a critical mass; (2) Empowerment of a small group of active youth leaders who can represent a bridgehead to bring change. 10

13 The evaluators invited SFCG staff to participate in a two-hour workshop that was held in Daloa at the very beginning of field work. To commence the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their understanding of the long term objectives of the project. The evaluation team then used the technique of backward mapping to develop the pathway of change of the project. In the end, they were asked to identify and think critically about key assumptions thar underly the project s logic. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Eight two-hour focus groups (see Table 1) have been convened and held for evaluation purposes: four in Bas-Sassandra (37 participants in total) and four in Vallé du Bandama (47 participants in total). They were divided into two types: FGD with youth leaders who participated in SFCG s training workshops and FGD with young beneficiaries who had participated in followup and exchange sessions organized by trained youth leaders. The evaluators had provided instructions as regards to the selection criteria for the participants, including a balanced representation of men and women, political parties (when political engagement of youth leaders was obvious), religion and ethnic group affiliations. Previous discussions with SFCG staff had led to the conclusion that it would not be problematic to mix young men and women in the same focus groups. Yet the evaluators noted striking gender differences in behaviors during FGD, especially in FGD of the second type (with young beneficiaries): young women were much less talkative than young men. The gender composition of the focus groups was also meaningful: 70% of FGD s participants were young men. The FGD were moderated by the evaluators and were structured around open questions designed to encourage participants to discuss their experiences in relation to the project. Throughout the course of the evaluation, the participants demonstrated a high interest in sharing their experience, relating conflict resolution stories, and discussing changes that the project has helped generate in their live and their communities. The FGD have provided the evaluators with valuable insights into key issues, and information that has been triangulated with documentation review (SFCG event reports), individual interviews and a survey conducted with youth leaders and young beneficiaries. Table 1. Focus Groups Discussions: Locations and Participants Location Date Group category Number of participants (Male/Female) Gender ratio (% female) Bas-Sassandra 1 Sassandra 21/07/2010 Youth leaders 13 (6/7) 54% 2 Sassandra 22/07/2010 Young beneficiaries* 5 (5/0) 0% 3 Tiazalé 23/07/2010 Youth leaders 7 (4/3) 43% 4 Tiazalé 23/07/2010 Young beneficiaries 12 (9/3) 25% Vallée du Bandama 5 N Gatako (Bouaké) 25/07/2010 Leaders 12 (9/3) 25% 6 N Gatako (Bouaké) 25/07/2010 Young beneficiaries 12 (11/1) 8% 7 Djebonoua 26/07/2010 Leaders 12 (7/5) 42% 8 Djebonoua 26/07/2010 Young beneficiaries 11 (8/3) 27% Total 84(59/25) 30% * Individuals whom youth leaders have shared their new knowledge with. 11

14 Two surveys Two evaluation survey questionnaires have been designed for two different target groups. Both surveys have been administered by SFCG staff and the evaluators. Data has been compiled in an Excel data base which has been provided and explained to SFCG staff in Côte d Ivoire. In keeping with a learning perspective, the evaluators have provided an operational manual that assists SFGC staff with understanding the database, creating tables with one or two variables, and creating new databases on the same model that could be helpful as a monitoring tool. The target group of the first survey (survey 1) was the youth leaders who were provided with training and support for their initiatives, as well as young people who participated in events and exchange sessions with these youth leaders. The questionnaire was formulated to determine: The composition of project participants (and young beneficiaries) in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, education and involvement in local organizations; Changes in participants (and young beneficiaries) knowledge, behaviors, skills and attitudes in relations to the main themes of the project Suppporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire. The ToR specifically requested to include the following questions: Have you participated in an activity with the goal of preventing or managing a conflict in the past year? (Indicator: 40% of survey participants answering yes to this question); Have you engaged in a dialogue around governance, economic or social issues with youths from other backgrounds over the past year? (Indicator: 60% of youth leaders who participated in workshops and exchanges answering yes to this question). As in the FGD, the datas show an unbalanced gender ratio in favor of male participants (71%). The ratio is even more unbalanced for the category of young beneficiaries (86% of the respondents are male participants). Those results are consistent with the figures obtained from the workshops participant database elaborated by SFCG (66% are male participants). Youth leaders have a higher education level than their peers. 12

15 Table 2. Sociodemographic composition of survey respondents (survey 1) Total Youth Young Leaders Beneficiaries Total respondents Gender (% female) 29% 40% 14% Age Mean age Max Min Education (%) Higher 8% 9% 6% Secondary (Lycée) 38% 47% 26% Secondary (Collège) 36% 33% 40% Primary 14% 11% 17% None 4% 0% 9% Ethnical group (%) Akan Baoulé 41% 38% 46% Agni 1% 7% 9% Adjoukrou 1% 2% 0% Yaouré 1% 0% 3% Abouré 1% 2% 0% Voltaïc Senoufo /Tagbana 9% 8% 9% Northern Mandé Koyaka 5% 7% 3% Southern Mandé Yacouba 4% 7% 0% Gouro 1% 7% 0% Krou Godié 18% 13% 23% Bété 8% 7% 9% Wobé 3% 4% 0% Autres Mossi (Burkina Faso) 3% 4% 0% Yorouba 3% 2% 3% Béninois 1% 0% 3% Tchebara 1% 2% 0% Location (%) Bas-Sassandra 41% 44% 37% Vallée du Bandama 59% 56% 63% Table 3. Sociodemographic composition of Survey respondents (survey 2) Total respondents 61 Gender (% female) 44% Age Mean age Max Min Education (%) Higher 16% Secondary (Lycée) 33% Secondary (Collège) 16% Primary 15% None 11% No answer 8% Ethnical group (%) Akan Baoulé 35% Agni 2% Alladian 2% Voltaïc Lobi 2% Northern Mandé Malinké 12% Dioula 5% Koyaka 10% Southern Mandé Gouro 2% Krou Godié 3% Bété 2% Guéré 2% Neyo 3% Autres Maraka 3% Yorouba 3% Bissa 3% The second survey s target group encompasses the population in general in relation to areas relevant to the evaluation, disaggregated by age. This survey (survey 2) was meant to provide information on the following quantitative indicator (as asked in the Tor): 60% of the population, disaggregated by age, can list at least one positive role that youths can play in the decisionmaking and development in Cote d Ivoire. It also provides some information on the extent to which SFCG has reached rural and urban populations through interactive theater performances and radio programs. 61 individuals have been surveyed (44% female and 56% male). About a third of surveyed population is from the Akan ethnic groups (Baoulé), which is explained by the fact the survey questionnaires have been mainly administered in Vallée du Bandama (82% of the respondents are from Bouaké and Brobo) where this group is the predominant ethnicity. The methodology used in this survey and its actual administration pose a number of problems which affect the reliability of datas. Despite SFCG staff helpful support, the evaluation team fell short of time and resources to conduct such an ambitious survey. Therefore the results of this survey should be taken with caution. They provide tendencies rather than clear conclusions. 13

16 Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and key informants Semi-structured interviews were conducted within a fairly open framework which allowed the evaluators to ask for detailed stories and discuss key issues. Interview guides are presented in Annex 3 (p 53): although these guides provided a general framework to ensure that both evaluators gathered the same type of information, the majority of questions were created during the interview. Interviewees include youth leaders and young beneficiaries, broadcast technicians and radio program directors (partner radio stations), members of local and international organizations (e.g United Nations Development Program) and religious, political and administrative authorities. 2.3 Challenges and limitations Principally because of time and resources constraints, but not only due to these factors, the evaluation faced certain limitations and challenges. While a two-hour focus group has been organized in Daloa with SFCG staff, the evaluation team did not have the time or the opportunity to conduct individual or group interviews with all of those who have been involved in the project. Therefore, there may be some information gap, as well as unanswered questions related to the challenges SFCG has faced in the project implementation. The evaluation team was dependant upon SFCG staff to organize meetings and focus groups, and administer survey questionnaires. On the one hand, it enhanced the participation of SFCG Côte d Ivoire staff in the evaluation process; on the other hand, it reduced the margin of independent action of the evaluators for example in the participants and interviewees selection process. Two SFCG interns were conducting case studies one impact study and a case study at the same time of the evaluation. It would have been helpful if these studies had been completed before the evaluation process, so the results could have been used in the evaluation itself. At the time of evaluation, the project had only recently ended (May 2010). Therefore, trainings and conversation workshops that appear to have been successful at first examination, might not ultimately lead to expected outcome (or impact). Additionally, the project had been designed in the perspective of the presidential elections in Côte d Ivoire, which have been continuously postponed over past years. It will be very interesting to assess the project s achievements within an electoral context (when tensions will most likely be heightened). There should be caution in extrapolating the results and drawing systematic conclusions for the following reasons: The evaluation only partially covered two areas out of seven targeted by the project. Therefore, there is probably an information gap, in particular related to the challenges that the project has faced: in Abidjan, the results were far less positive than in any other 14

17 areas 6 (three workshops had to be canceled), and it would have been interesting to explore the reasons behind the difficulties of implementing the project there. Time allocated for field work did not allow the evaluators to test the evaluation tools (surveys, interview protocols and FGD guidelines). The team had to make real-time adjustments to the survey questionnaires, based on the reactions of the first surveyed participants to the questions. As explained above, there are some limitations in survey design and administration. While project documentation was in general available and easy to access, some weaknesses in the data monitoring system have caused some difficulties in accessing exhaustive information. There was significant missing data in the database of the workshops participants, provided by SFCG (for some variables, up to three quarters of the datas are missing). Part of the reasons for this incomplete datas could be because the participants refuse to provide information related, for example, to their political affiliation or ethnic belonging. However, SFCG staff recognized that it is mainly due to the fact that they have not followed a rigorous process of data collection during activities (e.g attendance lists). For these reasons, the report triangulate those datas with those of the evaluation survey (survey 1), as much and as often as possible. 6 Workshop with SFCG staff in Daloa. 15

18 3 Context and project overview Since the coup attempt on 19 th of September 2002, Ivorian youths have been involved in and affected by the political and military conflict that opposes governmental forces and the rebel group New Forces (Forces Nouvelles). Enhanced mistrut between youth groups, particularly vulnerable to political manipulation, constitutes a barrier to political reconciliation. By engaging youth leaders and their peers, SFCG s project seeks to strenghthen drivers of positive change and raise awareness about key issues of conflict transformation, democratic principles and governance. 3.1 Youth at stake in the Ivorian crisis and crisis-recovery process Eight years after the crisis broke out, Côte d Ivoire is still plagued by an ongoing political stalemate. As the United Nations Special Representative for Côte d Ivoire stated in June 2010, the impasse is essentially due to the fact that all parties insist on standing their ground: The presidential camp wants reunification before elections; the opposition wants elections before reunification; and the rebel Forces Nouvelles wants identification before reunification. 7 Political leaders from all major parties have mobilized youth to support their positions, often encouraging their participation in violent actions. Youth has been used to intimidate opponents, provoke civil disorders and foment or suppress opponent demonstrations that often turned violent. Created in 2002 by Blé Goudé, the Youth Alliance for National Survival (Alliance des jeunes patriotes pour le sursaut national) gathers several youth movements including the Pan-Africain Congress of Young Patriots (Congrés panafricain des jeunes patriotes, COJEP) and the Student Federation of Côte d Ivoire (Fédération estudiantine et scolaire de Côte d'ivoire, FESCI) supportive of the President Laurent Gbagbo and his ruling party Ivorian Popular Front (Front populaire ivoirien, FPI). From the square they occupy in Abidjan (which they call the Sorbonne), Young Patriots rally against people from the North, immigrants, the French and white people in general. In 2004, they took over the state television station, attacked French nationals and foreigners, and in 2006 entered into violent clashes with the United Nations. Their discourses do not only demonstrate xenophobia and nationalism, but also feelings of exclusion 8. FESCI, in principle a non-partisan student union, has been accused of numerous incidents of criminal activity and acts of violence which often target perceived opponents of the ruling party. The Patriotic Galaxy (Galaxie patriotique) has weakened since the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (Accord Politique de Ouagadougou, APO) was signed in March 2007, but this movement still has a strong mobilization power. Youth were also mobilized to join the New Forces, the former rebel faction that control the northern part of the country. Whereas the security situation had improved after the APO, new tensions arose since mid Those tensions crystallized over the electoral process and the question of Ivorian identity and nationality (centering on the concept of Ivoirité). The persistent 7 Statement of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d Ivoire, Young-Jin Choi, at the United Nations Security Council, on the 3 rd of June International Crisis Group (May 2010). Côte d Ivoire: sécuriser le processus electoral, Rapport Afrique n 158, 5 mai 2010, p 8. 16

19 risk of violent outbursts was confirmed in February 2010, when the opposition organized demonstrations in response to the dismissal of the government and the independent electoral commission (Commission électorale indépendante, CEI). In May 2010, the Internation Crisis Group (ICG) reported that there is a risk that political demonstrations may again lead to clashes between the youth groups, driven by mutual mistrust and fear of exclusion 9. On the other hand, youth individuals and groups are beginning to become aware of their influence as a catalyst for peace in Côte d Ivoire. While most youth generally support peaceful elections, few have showed the leadership necessary to take steps to ensure the success of the democratic process. SFCG s baseline study (2007) on civic awareness showed that youth s knowledge about the democratic and electoral processes is rather low, and that very few understand that they have key responsibilities as young citizens. SFCG s project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire takes place within this general context. 3.2 Project overview Established in Côte d Ivoire in 2005, SFCG s program goal is to facilitate reconciliation and social cohesion among divided groups. SFCG uses an integrated approach that combines media work with community outreach to directly address some of the key problems in Côte d Ivoire, including the politicization of social dialogue, marginalization of moderate voices, deepening ethnic, political, and regional cleavages; and the preponderance of misinformation and rumors. The project Supporting a Conversation on Youth Leadership in Côte d Ivoire has the specific objectives to (1) increase youth s knowledge and skills of conflict resolution concepts and techniques as well as democratic principles and values, including diversity and tolerance; (2) build youth s confidence to play a key role in preventing manipulation and violence around the democratic process; and (3) promote and depoliticize the dialogue among diverse youth groups. SFCG has targeted youth members from political parties, youth opinion leaders, youth representatives from different religious and ethnic groups and youth associations with outreach activities, as well as the general youth population through media programming. The project has targeted towns in the Administrative Regions of Vallée du Bandama, des Lacs, Moyen-Cavally, Bas-Sassandra; des Savanes, and 18 Montagnes and the Abidjan metropolitan area. The project engages Ivoirian youth through a conversation about leadership delivered across a series of participatory workshops, exchanges, support for youth initiatives, theater performances and radio programs. A Conversation on Leadership: Workshops for Youth Leaders SFCG facilitators have led conversations on leadership in four different locations identified as hotspots for youth politicization in six project s target prefectures for a total of 24 workshops, and one workshop in Abidjan (out of 4 initially planned). These three-day events brought together an average of 25 youths who have been selected as youth leaders. At the end of the workshop, the youth leaders identified some actions they could implement to prevent and manage conflict, both within their own organizations or parties and across these boundaries. 9 International Crisis Group (May 2010). Côte d Ivoire: sécuriser le processus electoral, Rapport Afrique n 158, 5 mai 2010, p 8. 17

20 Continuing the Conversation: Celebrating Success and Addressing Challenges A few months after the initial workshops, SFCG has conducted three sessions in each of the target prefectures for participants to renew the conversation and support continued self realization. These one day exchange sessions brought the participants back together to discuss where they feel they have made progress and identify the challenges they are facing. Putting Conversation into Action: Support for Youth Initiatives Where the youth participants have displayed motivation and initiative, SFCG has provided support for events the participants have organized (e. Journées de la solidarité or theater performances). Sharing the Conversation through the Arts: Interactive Theater Workshops SFCG has held workshop sessions for youth theater groups on interactive conflict transformation theater, one in each of the target prefectures. Interactive theater is an innovative way to pull the audience into discussions around issues people ordinarily do not broach. SFCG s interactive trainings have provided youth theater groups with training both in how to use this tool, and also in conflict transformation concepts and techniques. Broadening the Conversation: Distribution of Conflict Transformation Manuals In order to provide youth leaders with lasting guidance and a reference for future activities SFCG has produced 1,500 conflict transformation manuals and distributed about half of them to youth leaders participating in the project as well as to their peers at the national and community levels. Providing Examples for a New Paradigm for Youth Leadership: Radio Soap Opera SFCG has recorded and produced 37 episodes of the radio drama Woro Woro Tour, to support the conversation on youth leadership and provide examples of leadership in the context of the lives of ordinary Ivoirians. In the course of the project, SFCG also produced episodes of another soap opera series called L Equipe. This series uses football to strengthen knowledge and change attitudes on issues of good governance, citizen participation, inclusion and reconciliation, women s rights, and other key issues facing Côte d Ivoire 10. Celebrating a New Paradigm for Youth Leadership: Radio Magazine Program SFCG has also produced radio magazines in French featuring the different issues addressed through the conversations on youth leadership. Unis dans nos différences is a news and feature program focused on positive initiatives undertaken in communities throughout Côte d Ivoire. The program provides a platform for community members, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees and other marginalized groups, to share their experiences, concerns, and successes. Passerelle ( Bridge ) aims to build bridges across existing divides by integrating traditional conflict resolution mechanisms of various ethnic groups in Côte d Ivoire with modern conflict resolution techniques. SFCG s radio programs are broadcast by partner radios in targeted areas (e.g Radio Sassandra, Radio Nobel in Djebonoua and Ivoir FM in Bouaké). 10 SFCG, Request of change letter n 1, addressed to Grant Management department of the US Department of State, 23 rd of October

21 Radio Sassandra, 96.3 FM Photo by the evaluators The following table presents the project s expected and achieved outputs. Table 4. Project s expected and achieved outputs Expected outputs 28 training and exchange workshops, with a total of 700 youth leaders 21 sessions to follow-up on youth engagement and initiatives Achieved outputs 25 training and exchange workshops with 500 youth leaders. Non achieved outputs and reasons for non achievement 3 training workshops in Abidjan. 22 follow-up sessions - Interactive theater workshops for 7 groups 7 groups gathered in 2 locations - 21 interactive theater performances 7 conflict prevention or conflict transformation initiatives supported by SFCG Production and dissemination of 1500 manuals on conflict prevention and conflict transformation Production of radio magazines (Unis dans nos differences and Passerelle) 78 magazines Production of a Radio soap opera (Woro Woro Tour) 36 episodes 21 interactive theater performances 7 conflict prevention or conflict transformation initiatives supported by SFCG 1 format produced, 1500 manuals printed and 754 manuals distributed 86 magazines produced - 37 episodes produced (Woro Woro Tour) 15 episodes of L Equipe Based on the information provided by SFCG s staff in Daloa meeting and triangulated with documentation review

22 4 Evaluation findings This section focuses on the project outcomes (medium-term effects) that result from the project outputs (products or services) and their interaction. Evaluation findings are presented and analyzed through the following criteria: relevance, effectiveness and coherence/coordination. 4.1 Relevance In this subsection, the team assessed how and to what extent the project reflects existing and perceived needs of the beneficiaries. The evaluation explored relevance as regards to key issues addressed by the project ( what ), target groups ( who ) and the project s approach or theory of change ( how) Strenghtening young citizens in the uncertainty of elections date The project was designed initially, in 2008, within the context of upcoming elections. It was based on the assumption that the elections would present an opportune moment to engage youth as leaders for positive change 11. The elections initially scheduled on the 30 th of November 2008, and then postponed to the 29 th of November 2009, did not occur. This situation certainly makes it more complicated to assess the project effectiveness (in election periods, the risk of heightened tensions and political manipulation is higher), but the political uncertainty did not affect the project s relevance. The incessant postponement of the elections has generated frustrations among youth leaders and their peers and continues to fuel political divisions in the country. The project objective of empowering youth leaders with knowledge about their citizen rights and responsibilities and skills of conflict transformation was thus appropriate. In Côte d Ivoire, youth have been at the heart of the Ivorian civilian crisis. Their contribution to the process of getting out of the crisis will be decisive. Thus far, youth have regularly been manipulated to engage in anti-social behaviors, but they have been far less engaged in contributing to social debates with their own views and ideas. Evidence of politically-motivated violence, radicalization and political intolerance abound. Between 2008 and 2010, there were several incidents and attacks in the West, mostly carried out by the Young Patriots militias, which disrupted the voter registration process 12. In October 2008, FESCI members ransacked voter registration sites in Abidjan, and in 2009, instigated violent clashes with rival student groups in Bouaké, Abidjan and Daloa 13. External observers 14 reaffirmed in late 2009 that FESCI could potentially jeopardize the electoral process. In February 2010, thousands of opposition supporters, mostly youth, staged a protest march in Bouaké against President Gbagbo s decision to dissolve the government. The march turned into a violent riot, with cars being set ablaze and a local government office looted. 11 Search for Common Ground (2008), Proposal Narrative, Project proposal to DRL, p Human Rights Watch (2009). Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Submission, Côte d Ivoire, April 2009, p Ibid, pp Vladimir Cagnolari (2009). L Election présidentielle aura-t-elle lieu: une génération à l assaut de la Côte d Ivoire, Le Monde diplomatique, November

23 In the administrative department of Sassandra, youth acknowledged in the focus groups that they had participated in violent actions (e.g they have burnt ballot boxes) that led to the cancelation of the election of the Conseil Général. Several of them now regret those acts and their consequences. They highly value SFCG s project for providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to induce change in behaviors. Over the last decade, political leaders from all major parties have continually exploited young people s frustration and grievances to mobilise them into violence and politicized conflicts. In all focus groups in Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama, FGD participants commented that before SFCG s workshops, they were highly vulnerable to political leaders who incite them to rally in the streets and organize protests. Most youth leaders who participated in the focus groups are or were actively engaged in a political party. They agree that before *SFCG s activities+, there was a high degree of mistrust and divisions among youths from different political backgrounds, which bred violent behaviors. They stressed the fact that before it was extremely difficult to bring diverse groups of youth together, and that political leaders encouraged those divisions. In this context, the validity of carrying out a project that addresses the issues of youth political manipulation is hardly questionable. In previous studies (which serve as baseline studies for this project), SFCG concluded that the level of knowledge about democratic and electoral processes (except from university students) was low, especially in rural areas 15. Consulted beneficiaries, representatives of local associations and international actors 16 confirmed that the objective of raising civic awareness among youth was an important step towards political stability and peace in the country. Additionally, the project has adapted to local conflict transformation needs, beyond the electoral perspective and political violence. In both project s targeted areas that the evaluation covers (Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama), multiple factors converge to shape a conflict-prone environment, with a risk of violence. Targeting villages and towns in those two regions was thus very relevant. In Bas-Sassandra, and in Western Côte d Ivoire in general, land conflicts are a recurrent issue for most of the villages. In the focus group discussions, youth reported different types of land conflicts. Conflicts among autochtones occur over land delimitation issues or between youth, their parents and elders. Land conflicts between autochtones (mostly members of the Kru ethnic group) and allogènes (West African workers and internal economic migrants from the north) have also intensified. Youth expressed that they particularly welcomed those new skills in conflict prevention and resolution as a tool to mediate these land-related inter-generational and identity-driven conflicts. Due to the fact that in Côte d Ivoire ethnicity and political affiliation are strongly linked, it is worth mentioning that these conflicts might also become highly politicized during the election campaigns. In Vallée du Bandama (Bouaké, Djebnoua and Brobo), youth also described different types of conflicts: social, political, leadership, ethnic and religious conflicts, and those directly related to 15 Search for Common Ground, Côte d Ivoire (2007). Points-clé de la Recherche-Action. Projets EIDHR et PUR III,p Interviews with program coordinators at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 21

24 the presence of ex-rebel New Forces (Forces nouvelles). In the focus group discussions, they reported many clashes between civilian youth and young members of the New Forces Target groups and the question of inclusion/exclusion bias In order to answer the question of inclusion/exclusion bias, the evaluation examined the following variables: age range, gender ratio, ethnic group composition, organization/association membership (and level of engagement with these groups), political representation, and more subjective variables such as the level of motivation and the level of influence of youth leaders among their peers and in their communities. There is no clear evidence of a rigorous selection process for the participation in SFCG s conversation workshops. In the project documents, targeted youth leaders are defined as those who are best positioned to make an impact on the stability of the country (youth members from political parties, youth opinion leaders, youth representatives from different religious and ethnic groups and youth associations with outreach activities) and youths who have been prominent, have a following in the sphere of politics, civil society and opinion, and represent diverse backgrounds and interests 17. It seems 18 that SFCG has prioritized youth leaders it already knew, and those it had already worked with. Despite a rather intuitive selection process of the participants, the evaluation found that there was no major exclusion or inclusion bias. The evaluation team has not found any definition of youth in SFCG strategy papers or in the project documents. Yet we conclude from staff interviews and direct observation that SFCG has opted for a more encompassing concept than that generally used in international stardards 19. In formal interviews, SFCG staff defines youth, in the project-specific context, as a group of individuals aged between 18 and 35. The field work has shown that age range of the training participants was even larger. In Côte d Ivoire, as in most of Sub-Saharan West Africa, the concept of youth refers to a transitional stage in life between childhood and adulthood, rather than a rigid definition based on age: once gainfully employed, young people are no longer considered youth. Classifying youth as age-specific might have led to exclusion. The project approach, in practice, was thus relevant. Gender ratio in leadership trainings, follow-up sessions and theater workshops is relatively unbalanced 20, in favor of male participants (see Figure 1). While there is a growing awareness of social inequalities facing women in Côte d Ivoire, and signs of change especially among youth, women remain underrepresented in leader positions. Another related explanation 21 is that, due to their daily household tasks, it is difficult for young women to take time off to participate in such workshops. SFCG Figure 1. Gender ratio in SFCG s workshops 17 Search for Common Ground (2008), Proposal Narrative, Project proposal to DRL, pp Based on the conversations the evaluation team had with SFCG staff. 19 The United Nations (UN) defines youth as those persons between the age of 15 and 24 years. Youth and the United Nations, consulted on the 26 th of July This result and figures are based on the participant datas provided by SFCG. 21 Interviews with SFCG staff in Côte d Ivoire. 22

25 had initially planned to train groups of 25 persons, including 15 men and 10 women. SFCG s participant database is incomplete, but available datas show that women represented 32% of the participants (out of 615 trained leaders). With regards to radio listeners, there seem to be some exclusion factors. The report on civic awareness and democracy 22, used by the project as a baseline study, noticed that most of the women in rural areas prefer to get information in their local language 23 and recommended providing some of the program s activities in local languages 24. The evaluation findings concur on this point, with some additional considerations: in rural areas, old women and women with a low level of education seem to be less likely to listen to SFCG radio broadcasts in French. Yet, it was reported in the interviews and focus group discussions that villagers have organized to share the information imparted through SFCG radio programs through informal listening clubs and by providing summaries and translations of the programs to those who don t understand them. Radio programming has thus created opportunities for dialogue and cooperation within the community in an unexpected manner. In some neighbourhoods in Bouaké, Muslim youth said that they only listen to Islamic radio stations, and did not know SFCG s programs. The evaluation does not have sufficient information to draw general conclusions, but it may be interesting to further study this point. A rather high level of motivation of youth leaders was evidenced in focus group discussions and individual interviews. Their active engagement in transferring knowledge to their peers and gathering members of their communities to share experiences (e.g through theater performances) reinforces this finding. Either SFCG had identified very motivated leaders when they selected the participants or the successful conversation workshop itself enhanced their motivation: it seems to be true both ways. What was more difficult to assess was the actual level of influence that participant leaders (youth multipliers) can exert over their peers and in their communities. Available SFCG datas show that on the whole, more than a quarter of the workshops participants (26%) have registered as a member of a political party and more than 20% as member of a youth organization (per the attendance lists). As shown in Figure 2 (based on SFCG s database), all major political parties in Côte d Ivoire would be fairly well represented. Other leaders are members of local Non Governmental Organizations (NGO, 7%), neighbourhood associations (3%), women s groups (4%) and religious organizations (2%). Those results (covering all project areas) need to be contrasted with the results from the evaluation survey ( 1), for each area. Figure 2. Political affiliation among participants who registered as member of a political party 22 Search for Common Ground Côte d Ivoire (2007). Points-clé de la Recherche-Action : Projets EIDHR et PUR III. 23 «La plupart des femmes en zones rural préfèrent recevoir les informations dans la langue locale», Ibid, p5. 24 «Afin de toucher la majorité des participants, notamment les femmes en zones rurales, il sera important d offrir des programs en langues locales», Ibid, p 6. 23

26 In Bas-Sassandra, a fifth of the leaders (survey respondents) are engaged in a political party, with major political parties being represented, except from the RDR. This is surprising because the RDR, led by Alassane Ouattara, seems to have increased its popularity and membership in this area. Traditionally, Bas-Sassandra is linked to the FPI, and more than a third of youth leaders said that they were affiliated to this party. It is worth noting that there are very few youth organizations in the area, which has also been verified in the focus groups and interviews (15% of the youth who were surveyed were member of a youth organization). In Vallée du Bandama, a third of the leaders responded that they were not members of any kind of organizations. Youth who do are mainly active within an NGO or a youth organization. A large majority said that they were not affiliated to any political party, and those who were, represent the three major parties in Côte d Ivoire (Front populaire ivoirien - FPI, Parti démocratique de Côte d Ivoire - PDCI and Rassemblement des Républicains - RDR). Youth leaders who have been selected seem to have a potential or actual influence, at least within their organization. It would require a social and institutional study to confirm whether there is a possible exclusion bias or not (are there key leaders or organizations in the areas that were not targeted and should have been?). Based on the focus groups discussions and interviews, it seems that there was no inclusion bias (youth leaders who have been selected and should have not) in Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama. 4.2 Effectiveness Providing an analysis of factual evidence, trends and stakeholders perceptions, this section assesses the extent to which the project has been effective in achieving desired outcomes Increasing youth s knowledge of citizenship responsibilities and skills of conflict transformation One of the project objectives was to increase youth s knowledge and skills of conflict resolution concepts and techniques, as well as democratic principles and values, including diversity and tolerance. Questionnaires, individual interviews and focus groups provided evidence to support the conclusion that the project has contributed to reach this objective. Findings are divided between reaction (beneficiaries perception of gained knowledge and skills) and knowledge (evaluator s appraisal of the project s effectiveness to transfer knowledge and skills) 25. Reaction (beneficiaries perception): Avant les formations de SFCG, j étais «palabreuse». Maintenant, je suis tolérante 26. Leadership and theater training workshops were overwhelmingly and much appreciated by participants. Participants consistently expressed a positive perception of SFCG s activities. Feedback gathered in focus groups discussions and interviews demonstrated that they value SFCG s training methods (e.g role play, real-life case study), and above all the relevance of 25 This follows Kirkpatrick s four-level framework (reaction, knowledge, behavior and impact). 26 Before SFCG s training, I was palabreuse (conflictive). Now, I am tolerant, Young women interviewed in Unis dans nos différences, 14 mai

27 selected themes. A large majority of youth leaders who participated in SFCG s trainings feel that they have gained significant knowledge in reference to key issues addressed by the project. When youth leaders and young beneficiaries were asked what they had learned 27, two responses were by far the moste prevalent: more than fifty percent of the respondents mentioned conflict management/prevention and a fifth said they had learnt forgiveness. Tolerance, leadership, how to prevent political manipulation and self-control were the four next frequently mentioned responses. It is striking that very few respondents named specific techniques or types of intervention such as mediation, arbitration and negociation. Respondents rather refer to moral virtues such as forgiveness, tolerance and self-control (a tenth of the respondents referred to these last two virtues). Very few mentioned governance or related topics. Many youth in the focus group stated that SFCG s radio programs are an important source of information for them. As a president of a Listening Club (Club d Ecoute) commented about Woro Woro Tour: Everything is said in this taxi. Everything can be freely criticized. Youth find it particularly useful to hear the conflict mitigation experiences of other youth in different geographic areas. Radio programs serve as a source of inspiration for youth to use creative ways to prevent violence and foster dialogue among their peers. They feel that they have been empowered and provided with new tools to engage in peaceful dialogue. Interactive theater was also very much appreciated by youth and their audience. Youth view theater as a very useful tool to sensitize their communities about non violent ways to mitigate conflicts and build tolerance and respect. They explained to the evaluators that interactive theater has a high potential for conflict transformation and that it has proved effective in creating the conditions for productive dialogue. They observed that theater is a particularly appropriate tool in rural areas, where illiteracy is higher than in urban areas. Youth are convinced that interactive theater performances are a very powerful means of sensitization because it helps people reflect on their own behaviors from an outsider s perspective. In their opinion, the key to the success of interactive theater is that it represents real-life conflicts and situations. The spect-actors are always surprised to recognize situations they have lived or that they neighbours are living. Translating this reality not only into words, but also into gesture or images, is an appropriate way to reach the population in rural areas. As a chief of village (in Bas- Sassandra) put it, African people like to touch and see. Youth value SFCG s activities as self-transformation tools. The following statements are illustrative of the impact of interactive theater: I really enjoyed the interactive theater workshop. It was fun, rewarding and transformative 28 ; Interactive theater allowed me to refocus and to become an observer of the society 29. Youth feel that they have gained maturity and are now able to say no to political leaders s inappropriate requests: Before, when they [political leaders] were coming to see us, we immediately followed them. Since I participated in the trainings, when a political leader comes into contact with me, he must first let me think and then I decide whether I should follow him or not. I'm more mature than before It was an open question and respondents could give several answers. 28 Youth leader in a focus group in Djebonoua (Vallée du Bandama). 29 Young women in a focus group in Sassandra (Bas-Sassandra). 30 Youth leader in a focus group in Djebonoua (Vallée du Bandama). 25

28 Women leaders stated that SFCG s conversation workshops have contributed to raise their awareness of their right to free expression. In their opinion, SFCG s activitives were useful in helping women to understand how they can actively participate in democracy and to shed light onto the ways they could engage in decision-making processes 31. A majority of youth leaders and to a lesser extent young beneficiaries (who did not systematically received the manual) commented that SFCG s training manual is a valuable and helpful support resource. A young women leader reported that At first, all members of [her] group [Youth Parliament Bouaké Section, Parlement des Jeunes] thought that they knew everything about conflict management. But after [an exchange session], they learned. They understood that there were many things they did not know, and asked for more training and exchange sessions. SFCG s training manual allowed them to believe me. 32 Youth expressed the need for SFCG to be more consistent in its activities. Youths said they were concerned about the project coming to an end. They repeated in several occasions, and in different locations, that repetition is an aid to learning 33 : hence the need, according to youth, for SFCG to organize more training workshops and support more conflict transformation initiatives. They also expressed their wish that SFCG extend its activities to remote and isolated villages. In a focus group in Djebonoua, a youth leader pointed out that the evaluators presence and the evaluation itself probably meant that the project was ending, and that SFCG would abandon them. Youth seemed concerned about SFCG leaving them without any kind of support. These reactions raise questions about the project s sustainability and youth s sense of project ownership in regards to conflict transformation and leadership initiatives. Learning (evaluators appraisal) In the absence of pre- and post-testing tools, the team assessed youth s level of knowledge in the course of the evaluation. The evaluation survey ( 1) included questions about conflict transformation and citizenship, which enabled the evaluators to observe trends in knowledge gain. The objective was not to test the respondents with a false/true assessment, but rather to assess the project effectiveness, and in particular training effectiveness. Youth leaders and their peers who participated in SFCG s workshops in Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama are now familiar with basic conflict management practices, leadership responsibilities and general aspects of governance. What is striking is that workshop participants did show a significant knowledge gain in a relatively short time (3 days for the conversation workshops). In regards to skills learned, it is fair to reflect on mid-term achievements. Thus far, the outcomes are very positive. A year or so after the conversation and theater workshops (workshops were held between April and October 2009), participants appeared to be very knowledgeable, with regards to what been taught and discussed. SFCG s facilitators have emphasized pragmatic knowledge and skills that youth could apply inmediatly to their environment. By engaging youth 31 Focus group with youth leaders in Sassandra (Bas-Sassandra). 32 Young women leader in a Focus group discussion. 33 La répetition est pédagogique. 26

29 to take initiatives in their communities and with their peers, the project has found an effective way to optimize knowledge gained. In that sense, the follow-up sessions were very useful. When they were asked what they had learned in the training workshops, very few participants refered to specific conflict prevention or resolution techniques (e.g arbitration, mediation, conciliation and negociation). Most of them described the different steps that can help to mitigate conflict (listening to both parties, bring conflicting parties together and helping them to find a solution). Figure 3. Knowledge about conflict prevention and mitigation Youth leaders Young beneficiaries Young beneficiaries Question: can you name three different techniques for conflict mitigation or prevention? Likewise, the project has contributed to increasing youth s knowledge about citizenship rights and responsibilities. The results of the survey show a high rate of pertinent answers, especially among youth leaders (see Figure 4). Figure 4. Knowledge about citizenship and democracy Youth leaders Young beneficiaries Question: What are the main responsibilities of a young citizen in a democratic country? It is worth noting that a higher percentage of youth leaders have demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge than their peers. The evaluation also found a strong correlation between the pertinence of the answers and the education level of the respondents: 67% of the respondents who have a higher education background gave very pertinent answers (average result based on three questions, about conflict transformation, leadership and citizenship); it decreases to 62% for the respondents who went to the Lycée (secondary, second cycle), 41% for the respondents 27

30 who went to the Collège (secondary, first cycle) and 15% for the respondents with a primary education level. Although the level of education might be a key variable, those results may also be explained by the possible knowledge loss in peer-to-peer (youth leaders to their peers) knowledge transfer. There is a striking consistency in the way youth participants perceive gain of knowledge and consequent changes in behaviors: they report that they have learned how to behave, either through trainings, radio programs or interactive theatre. For example, youth leaders and their peers insisted on the fact that they have learned about how to better listen to others which led them to changes in behaviors. A youth leader in Bassa told the following story: Since we learned from SFCG, we make the effort to listen to others. In the past, we always fought with young Ghanaians and we used to force them to give us part of the fish they had caught. Today, we get along and talk. ( ) Woro Woro Tour also helps people to understand what people out to do and what people should not do. Youth participants statements frequently reflect a binary appraisal of good models versus bad behaviors. Likewise, indirect beneficiaries among the population, for example those who listen to SFCG s radio programs, very often refer to moral behavior changes: Woro Woro Tour helps people to step out of their selfishness and teach us how to share our knowledge with others. The sketches with Koffi Maurice, taxi driver, remind me of real stories and anecdotes in our villages in Côte d Ivoire Building youth s confidence to play a key role in preventing manipulation and violence The second objective of the project was to build youth s confidence to play a key role in preventing manipulation and violence around the democratic process. Related findings are unfolded in two fields of action: sensitization (conflict prevention) and involvement in conflict resolution. Improving leadership and youth capacity to sensitize their communities and prevent conflict There is strong evidence that the project has contributed to strengthening youth capacity and motivation to deal with conflicts in a non-violent manner and to promote positive changes in attitudes and behaviors among their peers and in their communities. The project has contributed toward creating opportunities for youth to forge positive connections between themselves and with their communities (extended family, school, religious, ethnic and political organizations, social clubs and sports teams). This has been possible because the project offered its support to creative youth initiatives, enhancing motivation through follow-up sessions. One of the probable reasons for the project s success is linked to the fact that it has addressed the issue of youth s confidence and self-esteem. By opting for a goal-oriented learning, the project has been effective in creating a stimulating environment for youth. 34 Interview with a school teacher in Bassa, Bas-Sassandra. 28

31 Following the conversation workshops, youth leaders and their peers have used different types of strategies to transfer knowledge and skills, and share experiences with their peers and in their communities. Some youth leaders have organized neighbourhood tours and face-to-face encounters with villagers to provide feedbacks on what they had learnt in SFCG s workshops and stimulate dialogue around key issues of governance, leaderhips and democray. In Djebonoua, a young woman reported that she had visited the chief of her village to talk about political manipulation and citizenship responsibilities. She brought up the importance of listening to all political parties before making any decisions. In the months following, the chief invited leaders from all major political parties to present their program to the villagers. She accounted for the very positive reaction of the chief by stating: he was moved to see that a young woman could come and see him to talk about these issues 35. Youth leaders have also sensitized their peers within their organizations (e.g the syndicate FESCI, religious organizations, youth organizations, etc.). Indeed, youth leaders have a strong and direct influence within their organization. Either they held specific meetings to share their learning experiences or took the opportunity of events organized by their organizations to promote democratic values 36. After the conversation workshops, youths have created Listening clubs (Clubs d Ecoute), for example in their high school. The objective goes beyond the idea of gathering people to listen to radio programs, as the name Club d Ecoute suggests.the clubs foster dialogue among youth about the issues addressed in SFCG s radio programs and other issues of interest related to peace and development in their communities. In the same manner, other youth participate in Peace clubs (Club de paix), where they sensitize their peers to non-violent ways of mitigating conflicts, governance and democratic participation. Sporting events have also been the occasion for youth to sensitize the population. In Djebonoua (Vallée du Bandama), youths gave an opening speech at a local football championship, gathering members of the ex-rebel group Forces nouvelles and villagers. After opening their speech with commentary on the value of good sportsmanship, they insisted on the good that can flow from tolerance, reconciliation and non-violent conflict resolution strategies. These sporting events attract large and diverse audiences and constitute a good opportunity to get the message across. Interactive theater has also demonstrated to be a powerful sensitization tool, especially in rural areas. In both areas visited by the evaluators (Vallé du Badama and Bas-Sassandra), youth gave examples of successful theater performances. These performances tackled issues related to democracy (acceptance of the elections results in Sassandra and Djebonoua), leadership (conflict over power control between two chiefs of village, in Tabou, Bas-Sassandra) and tolerance (stereotypes of allogènes and autochtones, in Bassa, Bas-Sassandra). Stated one youth Interactive theater helps to bring people together. A lot of people come to see the performances. We pass the message on, and those who pass stop by FGD in Djebonoua (Vallé du Bandama). 36 FGD in Sassandra (Bas-Sassandra). 37 «Le théâtre interactif est très rassembleur, beaucoup de monde vient assister aux pièces. On fait passer le message, et tous ceux qui passent s arrêtent.» (Youth leader, FGD in Djebonoua). 29

32 Lastly, youth actively participated in SFCG s radio programs to share their experience with a large audience in different areas of the country. These youth found the fact that their voice could be heard across the country particularly important. Young people from Bouaké and its surroundings particularly valued the fact that they could hear stories from youth in the West or in the South. In Passerelle, youth provided examples of successful conflict resolution in which they had been involved (either as actor, mediator or negociator). Interviewed for Unis dans nos différences, they took the opportunity to talk about political manipulation, tolerance and the responsibilities of youth leaders and young citizens. Challenges Thus far, youth s influence seems to be limited to their inmediate environment (peers, family, social organizations, community), and is much less visible in the sphere of local, departmental and regional administrative and political institutions. With regards to the influence of youth leaders in their community, interviews with youths and non participants (e.g chiefs of village, religious leaders and teachers) provide contradictory answers. On the one hand, several interviewees observed that youth have gained more influence in their communities and their opinion is well received by their elders. On the other hand, the evaluation found that youth s influence is often limited to decision-making processes exclusively related to youth issues, as opposed to issues related to the development of their community in general. Interviews with local authorities, including prefects, subprefects, mayors, mayor s chief of staff and members of the Municipal Youth (Jeunesse communale), demonstrated that there is still a long way to go in improving youth s participation in decision-making processes. Political leaders and local authorities may feel threatened by youth s empowerment. Several representatives of local authorities in Sassandra and Bouaké highlighted that they do not have the necessary resources to implement programs that address youth s needs, and thus call for international NGOs and local organizations to intervene. Local authorities rarely convene meetings with young people, at their own initiatives 38. They stated that there are few initiatives on the parts of youth collectives in establishing dialogue, but rather individual requests (for example related to employment, land conflicts or material for social events). On the other hand, youth expressed their concern about the fact that local authorities rarely (never) accept their invitations to participate in the events youth organize 39. The survey ( 2) results show that only 21% 40 of the surveyed population can list at least one positive role that youth can play in the decision-making and development in Côte d Ivoire. A very high number of surveyed people referred to the fact that youth help to clean their village and the streets of their home town. There was no evidence in the survey for a broader perspective on youth s values as citizens and the possible roles that can play in the development of their country. 38 Interviews with local authorities in Bas-Sassandra and Vallé du Bandama. 39 Focus group discussions in Sassandra. 40 The limited sample does not allow the evaluators to provide a relevant analysis of datas disaggregated by age. 30

33 The evaluators met fewer young women than young men in the course of the evaluation. In general, women were less talkative than young men in the focus groups, except for a few female youth leaders who seemed more experienced and self-confident. The lack of gender strategy has an impact on the project s effectiveness. Facilitating peaceful outcomes of local conflicts 59% of survey ( 1) s participants confirmed that they had participated in an activity with the goal of preventing or managing a conflict in the past year (see Figure 5). Youth, in key leadership positions particularly, as well as youth generally, are more committed to playing a positive role in preventing and managing conflict. The survey results showed that there is not much difference between youth leaders and young beneficiaries (youth leaders peers) responses. The yes answer rate is a bit higher in Bas- Sassandra (64%) than in Vallé du Bandama (57%), and for women (65%) than for men (58%). Figure 5. Youth participation in conflict prevention and management The project has opened windows of opportunities for youth to shift the way they are engaged in conflict transformation in their communities, beyond the specific context of the elections. In a very similar manner to SFCG s Guinean project, the project did not only address political violence, as it had intended. In Côte d Ivoire, this result is largely explained by the political stalemate and the continued postponement of the elections. But it also accounts for youth s sense of ownership of the project: they have applied and adapted learned skills to their present and actual needs. The project has thus contributed toward enabling youth to address diverse drivers of conflicts in their home regions, in rural and urban areas. The evaluation identified many different types of conflits for which youth strove for peaceful resolution. These range from minor interpersonal quarrels to larger intergroup disputes: Familial conflicts Personal disagreements between two friends or two individuals somehow related Student and scholar conflicts Political conflicts (e.g between members of two different political parties) Identity conflict (e.g between members of two different ethnic groups refered to as allogènes and autochtones ) Land conflicts and conflict over delimitation of villages boundaries Conflicts related to the Ivorian crisis (e.g between ex-rebel group Forces nouvelles and youths) Leadership conflicts (e.g between two chiefs of village, or within an organization) Social conflicts (e.g over transportation rights) Religious conflicts. It is worth noting that in face-to-face interviews (or survey) youth provided examples of interpersonal disagreements and conflicts within the familial sphere. Almost half of surveyed youth provided an example of a conflict between two members of a family or other interpersonal disputes. On the other hand, in focus group discussions, youths provided more examples of intergroup conflicts (e.g over land issues or between two organizations with different political views). 31

34 Box 1. Peaceful resolution of a transportation conflict in Tiazalé, through interactive theater In the village of Tiazalé (Bas-Sassandra), a conflict arose between young people and a vehicle transporter from the neighboring village of Sago about transportation rights. The only vehicle that was carrying passengers from Tiazalé to Sassandra was coming from Sago, most of the time already full of passengers. Young people from Tiazalé became more and more frustrated about the situation, feeling excluded and isolated. When a young woman died because she could not be transported to the maternity clinic in Sassandra, frustration, anger and tension increased dramatically. Young people then decided to ask taxis from Sassandra to come to their village, which was prohibited by prefectural order. The taxis union was also opposed to this idea (so that urban taxis do not compete with rural transportation), a position supported by the Préfet. When young people found out that the taxis were not allowed to enter their village, they decided to organize a road blockade to stop all vehicles from Sago. An open violent conflict followed between the two protagonist groups, resulting in several injuries. Young people who had attended SFCG training and exchange sessions then decided to organize an interactive performance drama in the village about non-violent ways of resolving conflicts. Their message reached all young people in the village, and even beyond in neighboring villages including Sago. It s since that time that all conflicting parties started a dialogue process. In the end, they managed to reach a negotiated solution, allowing taxis to pick up Tiazalé s villagers and putting an end to the road blockade. When we performed the performance drama, a young woman started to cry. She had lost her sister in this conflict. Focus group discussions with youth leaders and young people in Tiazalé (Bas-Sassandra). Youths have applied a large range of techniques, which they had learned in SFCG s trainings or through SFCG s radio programs. Although they do not name the specific strategies they have applied, the evaluation concluded from an analysis of the narratives that they have been involved in mediation, conciliation and negotiation processes. Radio programs and interactive theaters have proved to be extremely useful. Findings about the ways youth dealt with conflict transformation in their community demonstrate the relevance and effectiveness of SFCG s approach, based on three essential and interacting components (trainings, radio programs and interactive theater). Box 2. How SFCG radio program helped to resolve a conflict over villages boundary delimitation For several years, people living in the villages of Lohiri Neyo and Gaolou (Subprefecture of Sassandra) had lived without demarcation of boundaries, but they were satisfied with this situation. They used to go freely from one village to another, from their home place to their plots of land. When the government decided to separate the two villages establishing official boundaries people in both villages feared that they would no longer be allowed to move freely from one village to another. They all resisted to the official delimitation process between the two villages. Through SFCG s radio program Unis dans nos difference, young people from both villages had listened to a similar story that had divided villagers in Guiglo and had found a peaceful solution. They realized that local authorities had failed to provide useful explanations that could have avoided the conflict: the delimitation would not have any impact on land ownership. Youths shared this testimony with their elders, which resulted in a peaceful outcome: the delimitation was done, and the villagers kept going from one village to another to farm their plots of lands. Focus group discussions in Sassandra. 32

35 4.2.3 To promote and depoliticize the dialogue among diverse youth groups By empowering them with new skills and knowledge, the project has contributed to raise youths awareness of their potential influence: We are so small compared to them [political leaders], but we have a hold on the electorate, because we represent a large majority. (...) Today, due to coming elections, political leaders see us as gold 41. Figure 6. Youths engagement in a dialogue with other youths from different political backgrounds 64% of surveyed youth leaders who participated in SFCG s workshops and exchange sessions answered yes to the question (survey 1): Have you engaged in a dialogue around governance, economic or social issues with youths from other backgrounds over the past year? Youth leaders are better prepared to engage in dialogue around issues rather than personalities and stereotypes, with youth from diverse backgrounds. There are several possible explanations of why the project has been effective in providing incentive for youth to engage in resistance and autonomy vis-à-vis the political parties. First, it has helped to build awareness of interdependence and a shared future among youth. The conversation workshops and exchange sessions were the occasion for youth from different political background to meet and share their views on issues of common concerns. Focus group participants in Bas-Sassandra and Vallée du Bandama pointed out past difficulties of gathering youths from different political backgrounds. Although youth in Sassandra are not organized into youth associations, they have acquired a level of cooperation that helps them collectively reflect on their social and political concerns in their communities. Youths are very concerned about the development of their city, affected by the fact that they have prevented the election of local General Council (Conseil Général) from happening (due to youth violence during the election process). In the two regions, youth leaders and their peers, who attended and benefited from SFCG trainings, have recognized that their divisions were closely linked with their different political Box 3. Resistance to political manipulation Before, I was a hopeless case. I was a political leader, one of the first FPI s Youth presidents. We often organized active boycotts. When we were losing the elections, we always managed to cancel them, and we threw the ballot boxes into the sea. I was part of a radical group of the FPI. Today, I do not even know if there are still some political parties. When you want to develop your region, there is no need for political parties. Today, there is no General Council [Conseil Général] in Sassandra. But when a candidate runs for it, we will ask him to show us his project and his development strategy. My parents say that, after SFCG s training, I have changed [in a positive manner+. Youth leader in Sassandra. affiliations. They have decided to attend together all political events in their villages and home towns, avoiding unnecessary confrontation between them and focusing on obtaining the positive aspects of various leaders messages. Young people found that these new behaviors 41 Youth leader in a focus group in Sassandra. 33