Evaluation Learnings Search

Learning Description

Emphasis on the fundamental principles within the decent work agenda (such as elimination of child and forced labor) through evidence-based advocacy and institutional development with adherence to international human rights principles and standards brings higher return in terms of realization of human rights. Programs focusing on issues of elimination of child and forced labor need to tackle a multitude of social norms and rights, capacity and awareness issues which go beyond provision of technical assistance. In addition to capacity development and awareness raising, the Decent Work Country Program project in Uzbekistan has included a range of research activities, advocacy and advisory services to the government and social partners, together with investment. This has brought strong returns in terms of elimination of systematic child labor in the cotton sector.

Learning Description

Combining ambitious and realistic expectation of what can be achieved in a given timeframe is of critical importance for good programming and implementation within a given operational framework. Approach to addressing very sensitive topics with governments that are reluctant to take action or are taking action under pressure (duress) should be such that the project’s core messages (to advocate for the elimination of child and forced labor, occupational safety and health, role of inspections etc.) are formulated well, taking into account the capacities, sensitivities and political context. At the same time, these core messages need to be sufficiently ambitious and elaborate in terms of their catalyst potential to allow national stakeholders to understand the outcomes of positive action in a certain field. Allowing stakeholders to take action in a more neutral setting as partners rather than beneficiaries helps achieve stronger results.

Learning Description

Interventions based on evidence bring better and more sustainable results. Basing interventions (support to regulatory and institutional changes, new approaches and interventions, etc.) on evidence (e.g. from research studies and analytical papers; piloting and modeling) help inform project partners of what can realistically be done within their particular areas. The project has invested significant resources in researching and analyzing Uzbekistan’s context and challenges and piloting mechanisms and approaches to provide the evidence base for the government and social partners to better understand what approaches may work within Uzbekistan’s setting. This was considered helpful and a good practice of the project.

Learning Description

Raised awareness and changed behavior may be possible to achieve without fanfare. The project was successful in sensitizing a broad range of constituents: educators, government officials, employers, families and youth without spending a significant amount of money on awareness raising materials such as banners and T-shirts, as some child labor projects do. The project did use radio programs, manuals, World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) events and some publicity materials to spread messages confronting attitudes and practices about child rights, child labor, trafficking. However, it was in training workshops, especially those disseminating facts and providing practical support, and in solidly nurturing of community groups where tangible benefits, such as VLSAs and Community Dialogues, proved most effective in building adherents. The emphasis on building leadership and creating opportunities for community-based discussion and analysis was exemplary.

Learning Description

The emphasis should be on providing access and being inclusive to youth who are marginalized due to disabilities or ethnic discrimination. Supporting youth with disabilities represented an important intervention for E4Y. These youth are frequently isolated, ostracized, and sometimes abused. Few of them have opportunities to attend school. According to the draft E4Y project document compiled by World Vision, “nearly all children with disabilities, regardless of the potential impact on their education, are out of school by the age of 14.”67 If not for the E4Y involvement, the disabled target beneficiaries would continue to be isolated. In its implementation, E4Y learned three lessons specific to Ethiopia, but perhaps applicable elsewhere, which should be considered in implementing a project to be inclusive.

Learning Description

Graduate students from University of Gondar Psychology Department volunteer to counsel E4Y beneficiaries in Gondar town. The students gain practical skills, and the youth asserted that they were very grateful to have the counseling.

Learning Description

The marketing assessment studies conducted at the outset helped place youth in vocational skills training that were appropriate for urban or rural settings. The Project Steering Committee (PSC) in Damboya cited the “mobile phone maintenance” as a best practice among innovative employment for youth. The E4Y beneficiary is a teen-aged boy who has set up a business where he can replace broken cellphone covers and perform other somewhat technical tasks related to cellphone ownership, which are essential to the public. It was noteworthy that among steering committees and Child Protection Commitees (CPC), many members were aware of the accomplishments of specific beneficiaries.

Learning Description

The Certificate of Competency (CoC) designed for the Short Term Marketing Program (STMP) gives credibility to the newly skilled youth and eases the job search. Holding a graduation ceremony for the STMP graduates solemnizes and motivates the E4Y beneficiaries. The badges and vests for micro-franchise youth have a similar effect, ensuring trustworthiness to their clientele in their door-to-door sales efforts, while affirming their sense of self-worth. E4Y supplied volunteers with raincoats and stationary supplies. These inputs, while utilitarian, serve to recognize the volunteers’ civic value to the community.

Learning Description

School directors and teachers using innovative methodology and classroom management techniques report improved attendance retention and the academic performance.

Learning Description

Long-lasting partnerships and building on results of previous projects and experience on the ground contribute to better project design and implementation. The project benefited from World Vision’s well-established national and local networks, as well as its existing infrastructure and specialization in human resources.