Evaluation Learnings Search

Learning Description

Community identity and social fabric. Pilares has contributed to the strengthening of the sense of community by using a collective impact (CI) methodology and a capacity development approach in terms of developing collective human capacity in the territories of interest to combat child labor (CL) and other unacceptable working conditions (OUWC). Civil society organizations (CSOs) seem to have tools to identify the problems, and skills to become part of the solution. The achievements have created a sense of collective confidence as a consequence of working together in SNs with clear, easy to understand, and specific tools and objectives.

Learning Description

Pedagogical model and teaching aids. Pilares has implemented an innovative, flexible, and assertive methodology aimed at building capacity within civil society organizations (CSOs) that has contributed to the generation of trust and confidence in the civil society. Responsibility for the activities had progressively transferred to the CSOs and SNs. The necessary tools were developed in workshops with the constant support of Civil Society Specialists who served as guidance counselors during the activities the SNs carried out. However, there are not yet standardized educational materials neither for child labor (CL) and other unacceptable working conditions (OUWC).

Learning Description

Adaptive management. The project uses an adaptive management approach to ensure that the project makes necessary adjustments and modifications to achieve its objectives. The Project Director meets regularly with the Civil Society Specialists and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to make decisions and correct the course of action when needed.

Learning Description

Comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (CMEP). The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer developed a low-cost, high impact system of M&E. SNs have asked for training and resources to implement a similar M&E system for their projects.

Learning Description

Promoting the active participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) improves the sense of belonging. The three SNs have helped restore confidence and trust in post-conflict small rural areas with political instability and a high risk of violence. It is a positive externality for community development beyond the project’s outputs and activities towards combating child labor and other unacceptable working conditions.

Learning Description

Knowledge and attitudes towards child labor (CL) and other unacceptable working conditions (OUWC). Pilares has changed the culture and beliefs about CL and OUWC, given the results related to the establishment of the Committee for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and protection of the Adolescent Worker (CIETIs and the development of identification and monitoring instruments. These outputs have changed both participant and stakeholder narratives about CL and OUWC in each municipality

Learning Description

Awareness about child labor (CL) and other unacceptable working conditions (OUWC). According to interviews with mayors and local government staff, before Pilares, CL and OUWC were considered culturally acceptable. Pilares has changed the conception of CL with training and awareness raising activities both among civil society and public institutions and through the strengthening of SNs that have become a major and active actor in social and cultural change. Stakeholders recognized SNs as coordination bodies with clear objectives and mechanisms for community empowerment.

Learning Description

Innovation in awareness raising activities. Pilares has developed a communication strategy based on: identification of the audience of the communication; channels of communication; objectives; actions and responsible person; and frequency of communication. The strategy includes specific cultural forms for raising awareness, such as storytelling, the elaboration of murals, and film forums. There is also a website used to communicate project activities and local radio coverage of project events such as the launching of the SNs. The Pilares project staff have also distributed project activities bulletins. A total of 71 communication products were created, including social network information, bulletins, posters, and event invitations.

Learning Description

Development of SNs. Pilares has made Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) an indispensable asset for the management of the SNs while providing them with knowledge and tools to achieve the objectives established for each committee within each SN. It has also strengthened the ability to addressing other issues besides child labor and other unacceptable working conditions, including early warnings of safety conditions due to armed conflict, teen pregnancy, psychoactive substance usage, dropping out of school, and criminal activities

Learning Description

Economic resources for the operation of the SNs. So far, Pilares has funded transportation for SN members to participate in local and national workshops, meetings and events, promoted communication between the different leaders in regions with a poor road infrastructure and limited internet connectivity with the accompaniment of Civil Society Specialists in each municipality, financed both national and local events. It is critical to find alternative sources of funding for these SNs’ operational activities.