Project title:
Mid-Term Evaluation & Lessons Learnt exercise for the project “iHOPE: Innovation & Holistic Protection and Education.”
Location:
Syria
Client:
Caritas Switzerland
Background:
Since April 2020, a consortium comprising Caritas Switzerland, Caritas Austria, and Caritas Syria has been conducting the project “iHOPE: Innovation & Holistic Protection and Education in Eastern Ghouta”. iHOPE contributes comprehensively and innovatively to the continuous education and protection of vulnerable children affected by the conflict in Syria via the i) rehabilitation of public schools, ii) implementation of a non-formal education program, iii) provision of psychosocial support activities, iv) conducting teacher training and parental engagement activities, and v) distribution of cash assistance to most vulnerable households.
Istidama’s assignment was to conduct a mid-term evaluation and a lessons learnt exercise, aiming at evaluating the progress, effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the intervention, to inform the design and implementation of the ongoing and future responses and partnerships/ways of working in the education in emergencies sector in Syria and beyond.
Research Approach:
Istidama adopted a mixed methodology approach using qualitative and quantitative methods targeting implementation partners and stakeholders, and direct and indirect beneficiaries to conduct the mid-term evaluation. The research methods included:
- Survey (face to face)
- Key Informant Interviews – KIIs (online)
- Focus Groups Discussions (face to face)
- Field observation (site visits)
While on the other hand, the lessons learnt exercise aimed to provide the implementing consortium with a thorough analysis of internal challenges and problems during project design and implementation and to assess the management and implementation structure of the iHOPE project.