After having conducted an extensive evaluation of the first phase of CD4D, Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) has just published their initial report on the CD4D project phase 2. Based on interviews, the report makes a baseline assessment for the evaluation of CD4D2.
The main findings illustrate the expectations of host institutions taking part in the project in terms of gained expertise and capacity.
The report further recognizes that, since travel of its participants is a core element of CD4D2, COVID-19 has had a big impact on the project. Whereas activities in Somalia had a successful launch before the start of the pandemic, activities in Afghanistan, Iraq and Nigeria were somewhat delayed.
To be able to advance despite the travel restrictions, IOM implemented virtual assignments in some of the focus countries and is preparing for them in others. One of the report’s recommendations is for IOM to assist participants and prepare host institutions in order to maximize the impact of these virtual assignments.
IOM, as is also mentioned in the report, has already taken several steps in line with this recommendation. For example, IOM gives participants pre-departure training with a special emphasis on transferring knowledge by virtual means. Furthermore, IOM prepared a guidance brief and an instruction video that can be used by both the participants and the host institutions. Next to this, IOM is following-up on the other recommendations in the report.
MGSoG expects to publish the mid-term report in August 2021 and the final report in 2022.
The initial report can be found here soon.
