Timor-Leste Reports
 | Dynamics of martial arts related con flict and violence in Timor-LesteWhilst members of some Martial Arts Organisations (MAO) were seen as clandestine heroes of the resistance struggle in Timor-Leste, their notoriety since independence has grown following frequent incidents of violence and ongoing inter-group rivalries in many parts of the country. Trails of MAO graffiti remain a visible reminder of how some members of the now outlawed groups have misused their MAO identities to engage in ganglike behavior, and to inflame or settle personal and political disputes. Incident monitoring through Belun’s Early Warning, Early Response (EWER)2 program from February 2009 to September 2013, showed that of all reported incidents (1039), 133 were related to martial arts organisations (MAOs). The issue of MAO-related violence has continued to attract substantial attention from the general public and media, with a number of organisations deemed as threats to community security and stability. The Government has taken a strong stance on MAOs, using legal measures to impose strict restrictions and sanctions. Resolution No. 35/2011: Guaranteeing Public Order and Internal Security (and revised through the Resolution No. 24/2012) and most recently, Resolution No. 16/2013: Extinction of Martial Arts Groups outlawed the three most well-known MAOs: Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT), Ikatan Kera Sakti (IKS), and Kmanek Oan Rai Klaran (KORK). |
| Empowering Women and Increasing Access to Justice in Timor-Leste – Final ReportThe final evaluation report speaks to the results of and lesson learned from a two year project “Women Empowerment and Access to Justice (WEA2J) implemented by Search for Common Ground|Timor-Leste and financially supported by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With an aim of improving access to the formal justice system through the dissemination of information and the training of local organisations, the project has promoted legal awareness and responsiveness for marginalized groups-principally young women-and strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media in Timor-Leste in regards to gender and media, as well as hosting talk shows and facilitating FGDs. |
| Focus Group Dialogues – Feto Nia IstoriaThe SFCG Timor-Leste team held Focus Group Dialogues (FGDs) throughout all of Timor-Leste’s provinces about the radio show Her Story (Feto Nia Istoria) in order to elicit feedback, facilitate discussion, analyze lessons learned, and look for success stories. Below are links to detailed notes on the sessions. |
| DAME Interim Narrative ReportThe DAME project contract was signed on 22nd of August 2012 and the first year of implementation proved to be a learning process, for SFCG and for its partners and associates. Most of the delays in the project reflect the realities of implementing projects in Timor-Leste such as challenges in the timely recruitment of staff and associated complications with logistics when working in the Districts. Despite the challenges there were also many successes such as the conducting of the baseline survey, DOSAs, National and District youth forum, Youth Civic Leadership Training, forming constructive working relationships with community radio and the engagement of communities through NSA Government dialogues. One of the focus areas of the DAME project is the strengthening of capacity of SFCG, networks and all project partners and beneficiaries. In line with this objective SFCG spent time with its partners Belun, FONGTIL, CNJTL, TLMDC and Forum Tau Matan to develop Scope of Works and workplans as well as collaboration in the coordination of activities. The SFCG Media Team worked in close cooperation with 16 community radio stations all around Timor-Leste and provided coaching to priority community radio stations such as Ainaro and Suai. Through this cooperation and coordination SFCG were able to build partner’s capacities as well as building capacities of the staff within the organisation itself, ensuring the sustainability of the project’s objectives. |
| Empowering Women and Increasing Access to Justice in Timor-Leste – Midterm ReportThis mid-term evaluation report speaks to the results of and lessons learned from a two year project “Women Empowerment and Access to Justice (WEA2J) implemented by Search for Common Ground|Timor-Leste and financially supported by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With an aim of improving access to the formal justice system through the dissemination of information and the training of local organisations, the project has promoted legal awareness and responsiveness for marginalized groups-principally young women-and strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media in Timor-Leste in regards to gender and media, as well as hosting talk shows and facilitating FGDs. |
| Baseline Report: Youth Radio for PeacebuildingWith support from USAID, Search for Common Ground in Timor-Leste recently began the implementation of a two year project entitled Youth Radio for Peacebuilding in Timor-Leste. The overarching goal of this project is to transform the way Timorese youth deal with conflict, from adversarial approaches towards cooperative solutions. This baseline study provides data and measurement of project indicators prior to start of activities, against which mid-term and final evaluation data can be measured against. To collect data, key informant interviews, community radio questionnaires, desk review, and focus group discussions were carried out. Ultimately, the report highlights the links between community radios, community representatives, and youth, noting that the link between community radio and youth is the weakest of the three; a relationship which this project aims to strengthen. |