Month: January 2025

The program received funding from the European Union as part of the ACP-EU partnership framework. It was executed by an international consortium. ALG has been engaged to carry out the final evaluation, which occurred from February to June 2024.

Scope of the evaluation

The external evaluation of the “Create in Central Africa: Support for the Cultural and Creative Sectors” Programme under the ACP-EU Culture Programme comes in a context of renewed interest in the cultural and creative industries. The cultural and creative industry (CCI) is considered today as one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy. The CCI constitutes a real economic challenge given its considerable weight in the global economy.

The external evaluation of the Programme has been commissioned to:
● provide a comprehensive history of the project and assess its overall impact with the aim of improving future cooperation projects aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the cultural and creative industries in ACP countries;
● analyse the implementation of the project in relation to its initial objectives while providing its partners with an independent review of the activities and results.

The evaluation team used the available evidence to examine the technical and management aspects of the Programme. It considered the issues of effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, preliminary impact and sustainability to identify the factors that facilitated and/or hindered the achievement of the objectives. Particular attention was paid to the elements related to the projects funded as well as to the overall picture of the Programme.

With regard to the elements related to the projects funded, the evaluation:

• identified and developed quantitative and qualitative indicators to assess the projects funded, in terms of work plan, areas of work, results and final beneficiaries;
• assessed the sustainability and possible future replicability of the projects funded;
• identified best practices of the 40 projects funded based on their achievements;
•  assessed the impact of the communication of the projects funded and the visibility of the EU in the context of Create in Central Africa
•  examined and analysed how the projects funded contributed to achieving the objectives of the Create in Central Africa Programme.

Regarding the overall view of the Programme, the evaluation:

• assessed and analysed the results and overall impact achieved by the Programme and its contribution to social cohesion, inclusion and job creation;
•  identified lessons learned and provided recommendations for follow-up actions as well as for future projects and programmes on intercultural dialogue;
• assessed mobility and networking activities.

Based on the main lessons learned, the evaluation resulted in recommendations that could benefit the various stakeholders. These recommendations will increase the sustainability of the Programme, provide means to assess the extent to which the consortium has contributed to strengthening the capacities of beneficiaries for the improvement of the governance and financing framework as well as the production of cultural products at the sub-regional level.

In addition to the executive summary, the general introduction and the conclusion, the report consists of four parts: (i) the description of the Programme, (ii) the methodology and main stages of the evaluation, (iii) the results of the evaluation and their implications, (iv) the lessons learned and the recommendations.

ALG has been commissioned by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) to conduct this significant study. Owing to our established presence and extensive experience in The Gambia, coupled with our international and local expertise, we successfully completed the assignment in collaboration with key stakeholders.

SCOPE  OF THE TVET TRACER STUDY

Overall, this study  aims to provide insights into the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement within the TVET sector, with a focus on enhancing the quality, relevance, and accessibility of training programs for individuals and communities across various socio-economic backgrounds. By assessing different types of institutions and programs, ALG can identify best practices and areas for intervention to foster inclusive and sustainable development through TVET.

In addition to assessing publicly funded TVET initiatives, this evaluation will also encompass private institutions and projects that sponsor students for TVET programs. These private entities play a crucial role in expanding access to vocational education and training, particularly for individuals who may not have access to public institutions or government-funded initiatives.

The evaluation of private institutions and sponsored projects will focus on several key areas:

• Program Quality and Relevance:
  • Assessing the quality and relevance of the TVET programs offered by private institutions, ensuring they meet industry standards and address current market needs.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum in equipping students with practical skills and knowledge that are in demand in the job market.
• Sponsorship Models and Accessibility:
  • Examining the various sponsorship models employed by private institutions and projects to support students in accessing TVET education.
  • Assessing the impact of sponsorship on widening access to TVET training, particularly for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds or marginalised communities.
• Outcomes and Employability:
  • Analysing the outcomes of students sponsored by private institutions and projects, including their rates of completion, graduation, and subsequent employment.
  • Assessing the employability of graduates and their ability to secure relevant employment opportunities in their respective fields.
• Partnerships and Collaboration:
  • Exploring partnerships and collaborations between private institutions, industry stakeholders, and local communities to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of TVET programs.
  • Evaluating the role of private sector engagement in shaping curriculum development, providing internship opportunities, and facilitating job placements for TVET graduates.

By including private institutions and sponsored projects in the evaluation, we aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the TVET landscape, identifying successful approaches, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. This will enable stakeholders to make informed decisions and investments to strengthen the overall quality, accessibility, and impact of TVET training programs in the region.

Having delineated the scope of evaluation for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, which encompasses a comprehensive assessment of various institutions and initiatives. ALG will now transition to the desk review phase. This phase will involve an in-depth analysis of existing literature, policies, and program documentation to provide a foundational understanding of TVET initiatives and their impact on employability, skill development, and economic empowerment in The Gambia.

ALG deployed a mission of experts who worked actively with national experts mobilized by the State to conduct research and consultations. A project document was developed and adopted following a diagnosis of the state of rural infrastructure and the needs expressed by stakeholders in the nine provinces of the country.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PUDC FEASIBILITY STUDY IN GABON:
1. Support and assist the Government’s provincial consultation missions.
The purpose of these missions is to consult the main stakeholders, particularly at the community level, including beneficiaries (populations, SMEs/SMIs, small informal units), local and central government officials, and community groups, as well as technical and financial partners, to collect the necessary information and data that will maintain the relevance of PUDC interventions to ensure ownership and sustainability.
2. Establish a comprehensive inventory based on consultations and data collection (infrastructure, social services and economic potential) based on a matrix of indicators previously discussed and validated by the mission’s Technical Committee.
3. Develop a detailed costing of the PUDC interventions disaggregated at the provincial
and local levels, including:
– A georeferenced table of infrastructure and service needs for each of the
identified areas (health, water, clean energy, including the solar health component,
education/training, access roads, income-generating activities), and for each
community,
– An estimate of the investment cost for each achievement, and an overall budget.
A detailed budgeting for all interventions such as rural roads, on the grid
of energy solutions, water supply, and agricultural (production and
processing) equipment, livestock products and the development of agricultural land where
needed, markets and education and health facilities. The
cost should include all direct and indirect costs of maintaining and maintaining
the infrastructure, including strengthening local operation and maintenance capacities. – Discussions with national construction companies to triangulate cost elements
– An estimate of the time frame for completion
The question of demand and likely use of PUDC products will be crucial in
the feasibility study, including the feasibility and sustainability of a PUDC-type solution
including elements such as:
a. Management,
b. Operational costs,
c. Potential income
4. Develop the nine (09) local development plans (PLD) that transpose the
National Transition Development Plan (PNDT) to the local level and also integrate,
but are not limited to, the following axes:
DocuSign Envelope ID: C2DC0FB5-FCEA-4D56-96A7-5D72352ABF34
United Nations Development Programme
(i) In-depth analysis of all sectors/sectors/branches of activity existing
in the province; (ii) Employment/entrepreneurship profile of each province;
(iii) Analysis of current territorial dynamics and potential levers for local economic development, creating sustainable jobs;
(iv) Identification and analysis of promising niches as well as economic opportunities to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation;
(v) ​​Strategy for the development of the private sector, entrepreneurship and employment and to drive genuine sustainable development at the local level.
6. Develop a cost-benefit analysis highlighting the advantages and probable results for countries and communities, in particular the economic and social returns of the PUDC.
7. Develop the PUDC Gabon project document, based on a template previously validated with the UNDP and the Government.
8. Formulate a detailed and targeted resource mobilization strategy through
the assessment of the government budget as well as the identification of international financial institutions
and donors interested in financing PUDC Gabon.