Independent Evaluation of the "Youth-Led Peace and Reconciliation in Colombia: A Transformational Approach" Project

https://www.unitar.org/results-evidence-learning/evaluation/independent-evaluation-youth-led-peace-and-reconciliation-colombia-transformational-approach-project

Overview

The project seeks to contribute to the ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts in Colombia using a three-component strategy that addresses: the prevention of forced recruitment of at risk children and youth, and reintegration of former child soldiers (component I); strengthened capacity of young people in marginalized communities to act as agents of positive change in their direct environments (component II); and support to reconciliation efforts in the country through building historical memory of conflict affected communities using arts and storytelling (component III). The current phase builds on the initial model by adding two major training components. The evaluation covered the 2019-2020 phase of the project and included a review of documents and reports from the previous phase, Pintando el Futuro (2016-2018). Both phases were funded by the German Institute for Foreign Relations (ifa) zivik and implemented with one or several local partners, including Ciudad Don Bosco (CDB), the Fundación Escuelas de Paz (FEP), the Corporación Dimensión Génesis (CDG) and other partners. The evaluation assessed the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, anticipated impact, and sustainability of the project to strengthen the resilience and conflict prevention capacities of at-risk youth, families, and marginalized communities in Colombia, and its contribution to ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts in the country. The evaluation used a mixed methods approach combining different data collection methods. Three surveys were deployed to a sample of 423 participants, and 97 responses were received. Field work was carried out in the Department of Antioquia for primary data collection with beneficiaries at the community level and participants in the MT and TOT. Additional triangulation methods were applied as well, including in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and key informant interviews with representatives from implementing partners and master organizations. Additionally, the evaluator designed and facilitated an outcome mapping workshop to harvest results and lessons as identified by the Colombia and Geneva project teams. Information from this activity also served to contrast findings and inform the reconstructed theory of change (ToC).

Report Details

Agency

  • United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Report Type

  • Project/Programme

Countries

  • Colombia

Completed Date

  • Jan 2021

Consultant Name

  • Aura Liliana Lopez Lopez

Agency Focal Person

  • Katinka Koke

Agency Focal Person Email

  • katinka.koke@unitar.org

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Joint Evaluation

  • No

Pooled Funding Evaluation

  • N/A

SDGs

  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions