Client: UK Labour Party/ Westminster Foundation for Democracy

Countries: Pan-African (14 countries)

Status: Complete

Background: The Women's Academy for Africa was launched in 2011, with the aim of addressing the significant gender gap in political representation across Africa. Recognizing the importance of amplifying women's voices in decision-making processes, WAFA was designed to provide training and support to aspiring female leaders, focusing specifically on electoral financing. The evaluation adopted a theory-based evaluation design, drawing on the principles of contribution analysis. Data was collected through a survey, interview and focus groups alongside a review of secondary literature.

Client: German Development Cooperation (GIZ)

Countries: MENA Region

Status: Ongoing

Background: In March 2023, Germany's government unveiled a feminist development strategy, building upon the adoption of a feminist foreign policy. This strategy prioritizes not only gender-responsive but also gender-transformative approaches. Our research aims to assess the implementation status of this strategy, evaluating progress made, identifying challenges encountered, and extracting valuable lessons learned. The methodology includes a meta-review of project design documents and key informant interviews with a broad range of stakeholders across the MENA region.

Client: World Vision/ USAID

Countries: East Timor

Status: Complete

Background: Despite progress, post-conflict East Timor grapples with persistent challenges including high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and youth related violence, often incited by martial arts groups and gangs. In response, the Healthy Relationship Initiative was launched, focusing on awareness raising, alternative pathways for youth away from violence, and enhanced positive parenting techniques. The evaluation methodology employed a robust difference-in-means analysis to quantify shifts in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among the target demographic. This quantitative approach was complemented by comprehensive qualitative data collection methods, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the initiative's impact.

Client: Norwegian Church Aid/ Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Countries: Afghanistan

Status: Ongoing

Background: With the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, Western donor governments suspended official development assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan, which previously constituted a significant portion of the state budget and GDP. Despite short-term cash assistance efforts, nearly 40% of the Afghan population now faces severe food insecurity, underscoring the pressing need to reevaluate current approaches. Our research aims to contribute to this reevaluation by building evidence on nexus programming through the compilation of several case studies. Additionally, we are conducting a quasi-experimental study to assess household coping abilities following unconditional cash transfers (UCT) and broader economic empowerment support (EE).

Client: The Carter Centre/ Irish Aid

Countries: Liberia and Sierra Leone

Status: Complete

Background: The Women's Access to Information (WATI) project was initiated with the aim of bolstering women's access to information, empowering them to file freedom of information requests and harnessing the transformative potential of information for advancing gender equality. In assessing the effectiveness of this initiative, a theory-based evaluation design was adopted, leveraging the principles of contribution analysis to elucidate the project's impact pathways and outcomes. Data collection encompassed a multifaceted approach, incorporating interviews and focus group discussions to capture diverse perspectives and experiences. Additionally, a comprehensive review of secondary literature was conducted to contextualize findings and enrich the analysis of the project's broader implications.

Client: CFI Media Development/ French Embassy Yangon

Countries: Myanmar and Thailand

Status: Complete

Background: The core aim of the risk analysis was to discern the most effective avenues for supporting Burmese journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) both within Myanmar and among those in exile. The analysis pinpointed critical risks facing beneficiaries, implementing organizations, and the donor, while also outlining strategies for conflict-sensitive and efficacious program design. Employing a PCIA approach, we mapped potential security and conflict sensitivity risks. Our methodology encompassed comprehensive data collection efforts along the Myanmar-Thai border and remote interviews conducted via secure channels such as Signal, prioritizing the safety and confidentiality of all participants involved.

Client: Norwegian People’s Aid/ Swedish International Development Agency

Countries: Iraq

Status: Complete

Background: Iraq confronts a complex web of challenges stemming from inadequate governance structures and escalating environmental degradation. Recognizing the urgent need for informed action, our baseline study was commissioned to provide a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing conditions and delineate strategic entry points for programming interventions. Through a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) surveys, in-depth interviews, and focused group discussions, we conducted exhaustive data collection endeavors spanning multiple governorates of Iraq.

Client: Thomson Reuters Foundation/ NORAD

Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa (multiple)

Status: Complete

Background: The primary objective of this assessment was to map the landscape of countering illicit financial flows (IFFs) in sub-Saharan Africa, including emergent trends and key stakeholders involved. By delving into the intricate dynamics of IFFs, our assessment identified strategic entry points for media and journalists to effectively combat this phenomenon Our research methodology involved extensive desk research to gather insights into prevailing trends and challenges associated with illicit financial flows in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was supplemented by in-depth interviews and consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and representatives from the private sector.

Client: CFI Media Development/ French Embassy Yangon

Countries: Myanmar/ Thailand

Status: Ongoing

Background: The Naye Thit Media Development Program, initiated by CFI Media Development in collaboration with the French Embassy Yangon, stands as a pivotal endeavor in bolstering the capacity of Burmese journalists and activists to report on the conflict and disseminate vital information to audiences within Myanmar and beyond. Acknowledging the imperative for strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) mechanisms, CREL has been enlisted as a strategic partner to aid in project conceptualization, develop MEL tools, and provide ongoing MEL support throughout the program's two-year duration.

Client: Minority Rights Group (MRG)/ European Commission

Countries: Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal

Status: Ongoing

Background: The EMMAP project is designed to amplify minority voices, counteract hate speech, and combat information manipulation in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal. Our comprehensive evaluation of this program employs a mixed methods approach, which integrates primary data collection through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. This data collection is further enriched by both qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Additionally, we incorporate media sentiment analysis to provide a thorough understanding of the media landscape and the impact of the project. Through this multifaceted approach, we aim to gain deep insights into the effectiveness of the EMMAP project and its contribution to fostering a more inclusive and informed media environment in the targeted regions.

Client: Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWRP)

Countries: Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan, Tunisia, Jordan

Status: Ongoing

Background: The Etihad project, now in its second iteration, aims to protect vulnerable groups from cyberbullying and online harassment, counter hate speech, and strengthen the cybersecurity skills of activists and civil society organizations (CSOs). Additionally, it focuses on enhancing networking among activists. Our evaluation of the project utilizes a mixed methods approach, incorporating principles of social network analysis alongside conventional evaluation tools such as pre- and post-test assessments.

Client: Stichting Vluechteling/ Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Countries: Ukraine

Status: Ongoing

Background: The Artsenhulp Medical Support Program is dedicated to providing rapid medical assistance to approximately 160 clinics throughout Ukraine, with a primary focus on the southern regions of Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, and Dnipro. This initiative ensures the swift mobilization of medical equipment from Europe to meet urgent healthcare needs. Our evaluation of the program focuses on assessing the efficiency of supply chains, measuring partner satisfaction, and examining ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes within the program. The evaluation draws on comprehensive surveys, in-depth interviews, and detailed case studies conducted across various regions of the country.

Client: Institute for Strategic Dialoge (ISD)/ European Media Foundation (EMF)

Country: Northern Ireland

Status: Completed

Background: The Northern Ireland Counter-Disinformation Program, led by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), was an initiative designed to produce evidence-based insights on the evolving landscape of disinformation and hate speech in Northern Ireland. Through innovative research methods, the program aimed to understand evolving narratives and actors. Our evaluation of the program focused on both process and outcome-related questions, including the uptake and impact of the research findings. By accompanying the program, we assessed its effectiveness in achieving its goals and provided insights into the practical application of its research.

Client: American Centre for International Labour Solidarity

Countries: Georgia, Armenia

Status: Ongoing

Background: The Women’s Labour Market Program aims to improve working conditions and labour market opportunities for underprivileged women in Georgia and Armenia, who are at risk of exploitation. This initiative focuses on strengthening unions to support these women better. Our evaluation employs a combination of outcome harvesting and qualitative research methods, engaging with key project stakeholders to comprehensively assess the program's impact and effectiveness. Through this approach, we aim to provide actionable insights and recommendations to enhance the program's outcomes and sustainability.

Client: Institute for Strategic Dialoge (ISD)/ European Media Foundation (EMF)

Country: France, Italy, Germany

Status: Ongoing

Background: This project undertaken by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and CASM Technology (CASM), aims at advancing the state of knowledge and understanding of pro-Kremlin ecosystems in three EU countries: France, Germany and Italy. Through innovative research methods, including topic modeling and social network analysis, the program aims to understand evolving narratives and actors. Our evaluation of the program focused on both process and outcome-related questions, including the uptake and impact of the research findings.