Summary Report of the Evaluation of the three ANCP Funded Programs in India:

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1 Summary Report of the Evaluation of the three ANCP Funded Programs in India: Hamara Haq (Ensuring Tribal Rights), Gram Nirman (Community-led Development) Swadhikar (Promoting Village Level Governance) April 2017

2 Snapshot of India Program Impact Life with Dignity: The Hamara Haq, Gram Nirman and Swadhikar programs have reached out to 82,000 people in 200 villages, the majority of whom belong to Scheduled Tribes, with the programs focusing on participation in local governance and access to services. The programs have helped empower 500 self-help groups to link with a government rural livelihoods scheme, through which they have improved their agricultural techniques, enabling earnings of Rs ($20-$24) per month. Just and Peaceful Relationships: Increased community roles in dispute resolution have contributed to peaceful relationships and brought financial savings, as previously money was needed to fund external mediation. Increased women s participation in village governance (Gram Sabha) processes. Up to 570 women were elected as local leaders in the village structures and local government committees and are able to raise awareness and facilitate land claims. Sustained Economic Wellbeing and Resilience: 1,030 farmers who were trained in the system of rice intensification (SRI) techniques reported an increase in rice production, enhancing their income. A sample of participants reported increased earning of Rs ($14-$20) per month from incomegenerating activities compared to the previously irregular wage of approximately Rs ($3-$4) per month. Influence and Independence: An increase in leadership skills for more than 3,000 local community leaders contributing to around 1,900 being elected to local governance bodies Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and government committees. 30% of the elected PRI members are women.

3 Introduction In partnership with Caritas India and its sub partners, Caritas Australia has been working in India for more than four decades and in recent years has been supporting programs that help build grassroots awareness of government endorsed rights, schemes and entitlements, and that accompany communities to access available resources from government sources. With an emphasis on working in partnership with government authorities, Caritas Australia focuses on two key states: Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. 1 In these states, Caritas Australia has been supporting three programs Hamara Haq (Ensuring Tribal Rights), Gram Nirman (Community-Led Development) and Swadhikar (Promoting Village Level Governance). These programs have been in 200 villages, working with more than 82,000 people directly, most of whom are identified as part of the Scheduled Tribes, which are officially designated groups of historically disadvantaged indigenous people in India. 2 Four key objectives of the Caritas Australia funded programs in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have been to: 1. Strengthen local governance through increased participatory leadership to ensure inclusive, integrated and sustainable development 2. Strengthen linkages with government stakeholders to improve non-discriminatory access to basic rights and entitlements from government service providers 3. Improve involvement and influence of women in decision making processes and structures 4. Improve livelihoods and resilience of target villages (directly applicable to the Gram Nirman and Swadhikar programs) A program evaluation covering the three programs was conducted in late 2016 and early The objectives of the evaluation were to assess the program, keeping in mind Caritas Australia s Integral Human Development (IHD) Effectiveness Framework, and in particular the four IHD outcome areas: life with dignity, just and peaceful relationships, sustained economic wellbeing and resilience, and influence and independence. The evaluation included key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and observations in the field as well as a desk review of documentation. In November 2016, the evaluation team visited six project sites of the Gram Nirman and Hamara Haq programs in Chhattisgarh, and in March 2017 four project sites of the Swadhikar program in Jharkhand. Summary of key observations and findings The evaluation found that the program has been successfully reaching out to vulnerable women, people with disabilities, and the poorest households among the Scheduled Tribes. The team saw evidence of marginal groups being engaged and participating in the processes of village development, such as active participation in the Gram Sabha, collective development, and livelihoods work. Progress towards the IHD outcomes The evaluation team concluded that overall all the projects have brought positive impacts and changes in the lives of the targeted communities, in line with the stated objectives, which are relevant in their given context. The team witnessed constructive changes and desired outcomes, particularly for Objective 1 1 These states were created in 2000 and, being relatively new, are still developing administrative processes and expertise. 2 Article 366 (25) of Indian Constitution defines scheduled tribes as "such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this constitution". 1

4 (strengthened local governance) and Objective 3 (increased involvement of women in decision making). In particular, women groups have gained significant confidence and are able to negotiate on issues affecting them within their households and in communities. In the case of Objective 2, the results have been mixed depending on the capacities of the partner organizations as well as the administrative context of the states. However, the evaluation team acknowledged and appreciated the work and efforts that have been made by Caritas India and the local partners, given the challenges faced by tribal groups and the civil society organizations (CSOs) working with them. In relation to Objective 4, there has been forward looking movement and strong potential to continue to positively influence communities and sustain the program outcomes. IHD Outcome 1: Life with dignity The team witnessed much evidence that the programs have been able to positively influence communities, especially women, by boosting their confidence and self-esteem and by creating an opportunity for them to come forward and take the lead in various spaces. Across the visited sites, women (including single women, widows, and women with a disability) reported better access to services, spaces and opportunities to take part in the processes of development (individually at household level as well as collectively at village level). Women were able to voice and express their opinions and feel they are part of the change process. Most importantly, women have reported feeling equally important in the matters that concern their household and their village for the first time ever in their lives. IHD Outcome 2: Just and peaceful relationships The team found evidence of stronger and effective local governance systems, such as Gram Sabha, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), and legal aid cells (innovative approaches to revive traditional ways to resolve conflict locally). Community members, especially women and most vulnerable groups, reported that there is acknowledgment of their voices from the community, PRI members, and government officials. In all the field sites visited, it was observed that the community reported a good relationship with partner organisation staff; community members knew about the program and the organisations work. IHD Outcome 3: Sustained economic wellbeing and resilience Within the specific communities visited, the team found improved livelihoods, with the program offering alternative livelihood options. There is evidence to show sustained increases in household livelihoods assets, leading to material and social improvements in peoples lives, including enhanced food security and new alternatives to unskilled wage labour. The team particularly noted the improved income and sustained livelihoods for women s self-help groups (SHGs), farmers groups, individual women, including single women, widows, senior citizens and with women with a disability, and other people with a disability. The program has also promoted income generation activities including collection and selling of non timber forest products (NTFP), small businesses (such as shops), and bamboo basket making. A few groups were linked up with Government line departments, including those dealing with forests and agriculture. IHD 4 Influence and independence The team found that this aspect of the program is very much in its infancy. However, the team also observed that a few partners, especially those who had prior experience of working on governance and a rights based approach (RBA), had been able to establish a presence and visibility in state advocacy networks as well as establish linkages with Government line departments and officials. A few communities had also begun to advocate for their individual and collective rights. In Swadhikar program areas, the team found evidence of Caritas India and their partners successfully networking and leveraging Government resources, especially through engagement with state level agriculture and horticulture departments. 2

5 Positive changes for individuals and communities The participants in the evaluation reported positive changes that the programs have brought at the community level. Several women reported that being able to generate their own income and/or contribute financially to their families has also increased their sense of dignity. The increased self-esteem and confidence also gave a sense of pride to the community, especially to women. The interviews and FGDs with community leaders mentored in the programs (including women, people with a disability, persons belonging to marginalized tribal groups, and a transgender woman) revealed a cadre of local leaders with a profound sense of pride, confidence and motivation. Earlier, women were not even allowed to come and sit in village meetings that the PESA (Hamara Haq) program staff called for. Now we come together, we take a lead in pointing out the issues and discussing the points that matter to women as well...earlier, the PDS was in the name of our husbands. They used to drink and sell off all the rice, but not anymore. We know that being women we have our right and dignity too. We are married and we have come to live with our husbands in their place. We know that we have equal rights over our land, just like our husbands have. Shared by a woman in a village meeting attended by more than 80 people from 6 panchayats, with more than 60% women in attendance. We never realised we have an equal right to participate in the processes of development of our own village. This program has showed me and numerous other women that we have equal rights and entitlements and a right to speak about what is right and wrong for my own village and for ourselves Binita Orao, self-help group secretary, Swadhikar village site. The programs have helped the participants at community level discover their leadership potential, build their selfconfidence and be hopeful about the path they have chosen to claim their rights and dignity. In particular, the women leaders that the programs have supported along the way are positive and enthusiastic about their newly acquired confidence. This was quite visible in the village meetings as well as in all the FGDs. Out of six communities visited in Chhattisgarh, four showed strong collective community action towards claiming their rights related to basic services (such as action on bringing electricity in the village, a collective march to the Block Office to demand a stop to the transfer of a teacher from the village school) and rights and entitlements (such as a collective march for claiming land rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and demanding jobs under government schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)). In Jharkhand, the evaluation team saw examples of collective community action in all village sites visited, including digging a community pond, building a bamboo pool, collective farming, and practicing organic farming techniques that the farmers learnt at training as part of the program. 83 tribal families received land patta under FRA. After reviewing the land claims received, the families collectively decided to return the land as they did not receive the actual size of land that they had claimed/applied for. They received 35 decimal against the 1.71 acre of land applied for. Jadugoda village. Key outcomes Strengthened local governance through increased participatory leadership The Hamara Haq, Gram Nirman and Swadhikar programs have together reached out to 200 villages in two states (Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand) working with more than 82,000 people directly, the majority belonging to Scheduled Tribes. 3

6 Together the three programs have created a cadre of more than 3,000 local community leaders, including around 1,900 local leaders who have been elected for the local PRI bodies and Government committees. Strengthened linkages with government stakeholders to improve non-discriminatory access to basic rights and entitlements 40 legal camps were organized in association with the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) in Chhattisgarh. These camps have generated legal awareness of people in the community, and the community receives advice and recommendations on legal matters from district legal authorities. Village level micro plans were developed by communities based on their priorities and needs, which included installation of electricity, water and irrigation facilities, cemented roads, dam repair, health facilities, and school construction. These plans received approval from the Gram Sabha in each community. Improved involvement and influence of women in decision making processes and structures Around 30% of the total number of local leaders elected are women. These local leaders were trained on the provisions of the PESA Act and its interlinkages with the FRA, and in turn have helped facilitate land claim processes and raise awareness at the grass roots level. Improved livelihoods and resilience of target villages More than 500 self-help groups have been linked with government schemes and are earning Rs.1000 to Rs.1200 per month. These groups are doing income generating activities such as poultry raising, vegetable vending, bamboo basket making, and small scale selling of non-timber forest products, such as fruits and flowers. More than 120 people with a disability/widows were supported for income generating projects and are earning Rs.700 to Rs.1000 per month. Some farmers have started making compost for their own fields using a process they learnt on exposure visits; this has saved them money they previously spent on buying fertilizers. 1,030 famers in Jharkhand were trained in the system of rice intensification (SRI) techniques, and 794 farmers reported using these techniques for rice cultivation in their fields. Program accompaniment support and its effectiveness The programs were designed keeping in mind two levels of accompaniment support, one level being the accompaniment of the local partners by Caritas India and Caritas Australia, and the other being the local partner accompaniment of the communities. Caritas Australia has worked closely with Caritas India, and Caritas India has played a major role in program accompaniment of its local implementation partners, as well as being the program management authority for the programs in both states. The Caritas India program accompaniment role has been to support the partner organizations to design and plan, manage and monitor the programs and to build capacity depending on the needs of the local partners. The team observed that the role played by Caritas India in program accompaniment was quite effective in relation to its purposes and objectives. In both Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, the monitoring visits were done based on the needs of the partners and requirements of the program. Caritas India staff visited partner organizations once in a quarter; however, the number of visits was sometimes increased according to the requirements of the partner and the performance of the partner. The team noted that approximately 60 accompaniment visits were made in last three years and the number of visits was higher for some partners (such as Gram Vikas Kendra) compared to others (such as Samarthan and Bastar Seva Mandal). In Jharkhand, some of the partner organizations reported that the accompaniment from Caritas India has resulted in a strengthening of the network of Swadhikar program partners, enabling 4

7 them to share knowledge as well as resources. It has also resulted in the revival of the Jharkhand Diocesan Forum which was earlier not very active. The accompaniment of communities by partner organizations was directly linked to successful implementation of the program at the grass roots level. It was observed during the visit that, while this accompaniment was to a large extent successful, going forward more capacity enhancement would bring more progress towards desired change. Sustainability The voices of a large number of local community leaders has been enhanced under the program. It is these community leaders who are the actual face of the program at the grassroots and other levels. They play a very important and crucial role in leading the community as well as inspiring the community, enabling them to come together as a group to demand their rights and entitlements. With ongoing support and development, these local leaders of the Gram Sabha and self-help groups (SHGs) will continue to raise the community issues and take up the development processes beyond the program implementation. These group are already showing strong foundations of sustainability. The legal aid cells have potential to be sustainable and replicable local institutions. These legal aid cells provide fast and cheap referrals for legal issues and redress of grievances at the local level. Communities interviewed reported benefits from having a local level legal cell that they can easily approach for legal matters, whereas previously they hired lawyers and made many visits to police stations and courts. The legal aid cells have the ability to be sustained beyond the program, but they are at a nascent stage now, and require more capacity strengthening in terms of knowledge building and skills development to handle and advocate on community specific issues at a higher level. Summary of key recommendations Based on their findings, the evaluation team made the following key recommendations: Program Effectiveness Legal Aid cells have helped the communities to understand where to go, what to do and whom to talk to in times of legal distress. Earlier in such crises, the community used to spend money and take loans from different sources just to get a good lawyer. We spent years in just finding the right person and right system that can take us through and help to get rid of the legal cases. A participant from Bagicha Panchayat, Rajnandangaon. Review the implementing partner portfolio and include strategic partners that can enable deeper impact. Review the capacity of community based organisations (SHGs, village development committees, farmer groups, women collectives, groups of people living with disabilities, etc.) and develop a capacity support plan for these organisations. Continue the capacity strengthening support to community leaders; in addition to the present thematic capacity building trainings, plan specific capacity enhancement training programs to nurture leadership qualities. Conduct a thorough context and risk analysis of the present political context for program implementation, clearly map out the challenges and risks involved, and plan strategies accordingly. Review the livelihoods options and map out possible alternatives keeping in mind the climatic risks (including water availability). Continue promoting and replicating legal aid cells, expanding this to other panchayats. 5

8 Explore the possibility of communities doing more collective income generating activities and livelihoods practices. Give careful consideration to the inclusion of leadership by women and members of vulnerable groups at all levels (e.g., future partner selection could possibly include affirmative action to promote organizations that are headed by women, people with a disability, members of Scheduled Tribes). Develop more meaningful engagement of people with disabilities in the livelihoods/income generating groups and explore more livelihoods options that are suitable for them. Networking and advocacy Continue the capacity strengthening of partners for delivering outcomes using a rights based approach framework, especially partners that are still relatively new to such an approach and who need substantial capacity building and exposure. Encourage collective action involving the collective strength of the community based organisations at district and state levels. Open up networking linkages with like-minded and larger state and national level networks for land and Forest Rights Act (FRA) issues. Compile the ground work and explore opportunities for doing more research and action based engagement at state and national levels. Organisational development and learning Continue the learning sharing meetings of the implementing partners together with Caritas India and also design reflective workshops to share best practices and cross learning among partners. Explore the possibility of simplifying the multi layered communication channels for the program. Strengthen the reporting systems and incorporate output and objective specific reporting aligned with the IHD Effectiveness Framework, along with improved capture of process impacts. Caritas Australia s Management Response Caritas Australia has worked closely with Caritas India to address the recommendations of the evaluation. A comprehensive redesign was completed in May 2017 where the three projects evaluated was combined into a single program where many of the recommendations were implemented with the aim of improving program effectiveness, networking and advocacy and organisational development and learning. The new Program, Community-Led Governance and Development in India is implemented in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and is being implemented with fewer local partners who have better capacity for greater impact on the very vulnerable Scheduled Tribe communities. Caritas India continues to conduct capacity development for the community-based groups as well as the partner level. The new program design gives special emphasis to developing women leaders at the grassroots level and also promoting livelihood opportunities for people living with disabilities. The new design includes a more engaged risk management approach to program issues like climate change and natural resource mobilisation which is strategic in the current social context. Caritas Australia continues to support the organisational development of Caritas India and its local partners through finance management capacity strengthening, program management support and also through a more streamlined communications and reporting protocols. 6

9 Case studies Stories of Change: Balmati Name: Balmati Place: Sudhapal village, Jagdalpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh Program: Gram Nirman Overview: In 2016, Balmati, a single women in her late 50s, received Rs 4500 ($90) to start a small grocery shop at her one room mud brick home. Outcome: With this start up funding, Balmati transformed a corner of her house into a grocery store with basic grocery items such as spices, biscuits, soap and salt. Through this business Balmati has started to earn Rs ($8-10) per week. Impact on her life: Being able to set up and run her small store has impacted Balmati s life significantly in terms of integral human development (IHD). Previously, she used to work as a wage labourer at construction sites or on farms. These were low paid, irregular jobs, and as Balmati got older it became more difficult for her to go out and look for work. Now, Balmati s increased income from operating her store helps her access health services and be more economically resilient; she is more independent and enjoys increased dignity in her life. The funds to set up the store also enabled Balmati to repair the roof which used to leak when it rained. Balmati shared, This project has helped me to help myself in my old age. Now I can feed myself and save some money for my medical expense too, I couldn t have managed otherwise. 7