GCERF post evaluation fails to show effectiveness in countering violent extremism in Nigeria

In this episode, Dr. Wand explains how a poorly designed evaluation framework with invalid outcome indicators leads to a post-project evaluation that fails to demonstrate effectiveness in countering violent extremism in Nigeria. Dr. Wand reviews the evaluation report produced by the Global Community Engagement Resilience Fund (GCERF) available at https://www.gcerf.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Nigeria-Results-Paper-Round-2-Funding-2019-21.pdf. Dr. Wand's review covers the following findings with detailed examples:Expected outcomes cannot be claimed to be achieved as GCERF claims as the outcome indicators depend on biased self-reporting rather than objective measures. Examples include GCERF claims of Community Action Response Teams being 'fully functionable' but with no objective measures of functionality.GCERF claims of high levels of confidence by beneficiaries are questionable as methods of measuring these confidence levels are not provided.Outcome indicators measuring skill acquisition for concrete skills such as the ability to mediate or manage conflicts or the ability to identify and report early warning signs of conflict are absent yet GCERF assumes without data that this skill acquisition occurred and that conflict mediation or management was successful.GCERF makes 'impact' claims beyond the project despite no evidence such as reductions in violence and alcohol in specific communities.Recommendations to include data sources and methods of data collection and analysis are provided to enable GCERF to support their claims that currently cannot be supported as well as ensuring that outcome indicators actually measure the expected outcomes.To receive discounts for the purchase of sunglasses or polo shirts or travel bags/backpacks/wallets designed for the Global South use the following link:https://mydeals.page/1hjlDonate here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZAQD8888DEDXLOr at buymeacoffee.com/davidwand to help the podcast.