Madagascar Evaluations

RAPPORT D’EVALUATION DES RESULTATS : PROJET DE MISE EN ŒUVRE DES ACTIVITÉS DE DIALOGUE ET DE SÉCURITÉ COMMUNAUTAIRE DANS LE SUD DE MADAGASCAR

Project for the implementation of dialogue and community security activities in southern Madagascar. This project is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), from June to December 2019.

Search’s contribution to this projects is based on the theory of change that “if defense security forces and youth have increased knowledge about mutual roles, rights and responsibilities on security sector reform and if they are able to communicate and interact in a more open, transparent and constructive manner, then behavior, relationships and trust between them will improve”.

The key findings of the evaluation show that participants are integrating the common Ground approach into the way they relate to others, and this is beginning to lead to better collaboration. The importance of youth participation in community safety by contributing to local safety mechanisms was emphasized by the gendarmes interviewed. Young people from elsewhere are taking the initiative in mobilizing their peers in “Fokontany” (village) to take part in decision-making on security issues. In fact, the consideration of everyone’s opinions in the decision-making process was repeated as a social norm, which is evident when carrying out joint actions during patrols or supporting the gendarmes in securing the security of young people; but the gendarmes also consider that listening to and analyzing the opinions of people in conflict is very important.

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Final evaluation – Countering the Resource Curse (Phase II): Promoting good governance and human rights in the extractive sector in Madagascar – March 2019

Search has implemented a project in contribution to “Countering the Resource Curse (Phase II): Promoting good governance and human rights in the extractive sector in Madagascar” with the financial support of the British government through Foreign Commonwealth Office – October 2018 to March 2019.

The project responded to the need to foster a more human rights based, participatory and inclusive governance process for the management of natural resources in Madagascar, and thus contribute to stable economic growth and sustainable development. The project will focus on two mining-affected regions, Anosy and Alaotra Mangoro, where SFCG has engaged mining companies (QMM and Ambatovy) and communities to contribute to peaceful conflict management on mining-related issues,with access to reliable and transparent information on relevant international standards and principles, local communities will be empowered to interact with security forces, mining companies, local authorities and civil society organisations.

The attitude of those trained on the common ground approach was a key factor in the effectiveness of the dialogues. As a result, 92% of local actors say that they are committed to dialogue across borders (companies, communities, governments and security forces) in order to find peaceful solutions to the community’s problems. Collaboration between extractive companies, private security forces and civil society representatives has been more fruitful, while with other actors it remains intermittent. The quality of collaboration guarantees the involvement and commitment of stakeholders in the implementation of action plans. Also, 72% of the project participants feel confident in working with other stakeholders to address human rights and natural resource management issues.

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Évaluation des résultats – Appui aux mécanismes endogènes pour le dialogue communautaire et à l’amélioration des conditions économiques des populations vulnérables – Novembre 2018

The project “Supporting endogenous mechanisms for community dialogue and bettering the economic conditions of vulnerable population” conducted in Madagascar and funded by the United Nations Peace Building Fund in consortium with four United Nations agencies (UNFPA, FAO, UNCDF, UNESCO) was a 2 year project implemented by Search and partner NGOs.

The security situation in the south of Madagascar continues to degrade and the population is caught up in a vulnerable economic situation because of the lack of social services provision and theft. Youth feels excluded and is more inclined to engage in theft and women, who also feel excluded from the community, are not concerned with community issues dealing with peace. Search focused on two aspects of the issue, mainly social cohesion and supporting peace by shining light on local dialogue mechanisms for resolution of conflict.

Search was been able to install 52 dialogue platforms through an inclusive process of considering the needs of all category of actors. Additionally, a total of 58 peace messengers were trained by Search to define and transmit peace messages to their communities. After being perceived as marginalised members of the community, women messengers were perceived to be very involved in this activity and even volunteered to manage some of the existing conflicts in the community.

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Rapport de l’Évaluation Finale – Samy Gasy : Promouvoir la bonne gouvernance à travers une redevabilité accrue – Janvier 2018

Le projet « Samy Gasy : Promouvoir la bonne gouvernance à travers une redevabilité accrue », mené à Madagascar, est un programme de renforcement de capacité mis en œuvre par SFCG, financé par l’Ambassade des États-Unis d’Amérique, et mené pendant une période de 18 mois (Décembre 2017 – Janvier 2018).

Madagascar connaît une situation de crise qui se manifeste de différentes façons : vindictes populaires, grèves des différents corps syndicaux et recrudescence de l’insécurité (aussi bien en milieu rural qu’urbain). Dans ce contexte, SFCG souhaitait promouvoir le dialogue et la collaboration entre les différents acteurs clés (professionnels des médias, académiciens, personnes d’influence, etc.) afin de réduire les approches conflictuelles. En particulier, des sessions de renforcement des capacités ont été organisées à l’attention des différents acteurs de la grande île. Ces derniers ont notamment été amenés à mettre en œuvre des initiatives conjointes pour la transformation des conflits, afin de favoriser l’interaction et le dialogue. Ces initiatives ont fait l’objet d’émissions radiophoniques soumises au vote du public.

Le projet Samy Gasy a offert aux différents bénéficiaires des formations articulées autour de thèmes essentiels tels que la consolidation de la paix, l’approche collaborative, l’implication des jeunes et le rapprochement entre la communauté et les forces de sécurité. Ce projet a été jugé pertinent par la plupart des bénéficiaires, eux qui exprimaient un besoin de compétences en matière d’instauration de la paix. De façon générale, les séances de formation ont augmenté la capacité des bénéficiaires à transformer les conflits (par le dialogue, la tribune d’expression populaire, etc.). En revanche, de nombreux auditeurs se sont plaints de l’horaire de diffusion des émissions radiophoniques consacrées au projet.

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Final Evaluation–Media for Change:Promoting Responsible Journalism to Enhance Accountability and Citizen Engagement in Governance in Madagascar

In Madagascar, radio is highly influential and was often pinned as the “Fourth Power”. While it remains a major force, it suffers from tremendous limitations in the wake of the 2009 economic and political crisis, especially in regards to the competencies and professionalism of its staff. For numerous unemployed youth, entering the media and the radio sector is the alternative to unemployment. Consequently, it is estimated that more than 80% of journalists in the country have no previous media background or education. This gap contributed to a lack of confidence in media, tarnishing the legitimacy of the profession and its role as a positive force for change.

It is in this context that SFCG implemented a 15-month (October 2015-December 2016) media capacity building project,“Media for change.” Financed by the US Fund for Innovation in Public Diplomacy, the project was implemented in 9 regions to promote responsible journalism and improve accountability and citizen engagement in Madagascar. Training and rapprochement activities were successful not only in building the skills and the confidence of journalists but also in reinstating their credibility with listeners and the authorities. In October 2016, journalists and elected officials signed a Charter on Responsible Communication which guarantees true, objective and unbiased news broadcasting and the respect of media rights and expression. At the end of the project, 90% of listeners believed that the media had addressed issues of concern to them. The number of people who believed information from the media was “balanced” and “unbiased” increased more than three-fold, from 20% to 71% of the population. In addition, 56% of interviewed listeners indicated that they had changed their behavior as a result of programs and programs broadcast by targeted radio stations. The project “Media for Change” was quite successful, but the Malagasy media still has challenges to overcome, such as journalist’s working conditions in terms of equipment and social benefits.

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Mid-term evaluation – Project Mazava

This report presents the findings of the mid-term evaluation of the Mazava project (meaning light in Malagasy) following an 11-month implementation period. Mazava’s core objectives are to support the flow of information and to promote good governance principles around the sites of the mining company Ambatovy. To reinforce dialogue and mutual understanding between Ambatovy and communities affected by mining activities, and to improve communication in good governance and local development; SFCG has adopted a community mobilization and a mass media approach. This mid-term evaluation assesses the relevance of this approach (objectives and activities), the tools being used (media and community/dialogue platforms) and the sustainability of the project. The Rapid Assessment Procedures (RAP), a mixed participatory methodology allowed to capture a proof of progress over a short period of time. The project evaluation reveals a high rate of success; so far 10 of the 11 performance indicators have been reached to over 80% and the content of the activities are adapted to the local context. However, it is suggested to be more consistent with radio shows’ diffusion time in the province of Moramanga and to recommended to concentrate resources to TV shows -more widely watched- in urban areas such as Tamatave to increase the audience rate.

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Rapport de l’Evaluation Finale: Les médias et les OSCs comme mécanismes promoteurs de la bonne gouvernance locale, la paix et la cohésion sociale (Français)

SFCG Madagascar implemented the project Les médias et les OSC comme mécanismes promoteurs de la Bonne Gouvernance locale, la Paix et la Cohésion Sociale, financed by UNDP for a 7 month period from April to November 2014. This final evaluation examines the project’s short term results and program effectiveness, while providing targeted recommendations for continuing to improve media and civil society capacities in promoting good governance. This project provided support to the media and CSOs so that they could more effectively play their roles as informants, facilitators of dialogue, and educators. SFCG provided trainings, coaching for radio spot production, and organized regional and public meetings to facilitation community discussion and networking. The project was found to be very effective in its short-time frame; recommendations in the report include longer-term programming, the addition of local authorities as a target group, and organization of meetings where individuals can share knowledge gained in trainings with other journalists and CSO representatives.

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