Democratic Republic of Congo

2011 "Conflict Prevention and Peace Building" Joint Evaluation

In June 2011, the Belgian evaluation group Channel Research published the results of a joint evaluation commissioned to review conflict prevention and peace building policies in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The database of projects submitted by the Steering Committee contained 350 projects—51 were selected as a sample for review through field visits, interviews; individual interviews with stakeholders, or based on available documents. The evaluation specifically refers to Search for Common Ground Program of Expanded Assistance to Returnees (PEAR) Plus Program, the media support program Conflict, Peace and Security - Civilian conflict prevention and peace building, and the civilian-military relations program Tomorrow is a New Day.

Download the Final Report [English]

Download the Executive Summary [English]

2011 "Informing Refugees and Returnees on Gender Based Violence" Project Evaluation

This internal evaluation analyzes the effectiveness of SFCG's ability to raise awareness around the causes of gender based violence and the mechanisms to combat it and support survivors of sexual violence. Funded by US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, SFCG implemented a twelve-month sensitization and dialogue strategy in North Kivu and South Kivu that involved Mobile Cinema screenings and youth-targeted radio programs.

Download the Evaluation [English]

Download the Key Findings [English]

2011 "Vrai Djo" Project Evaluation

SFCG with funding from the British Government has used its expertise in mass communicationto launch a media campaign under the slogan "Vrai Djo". This slogan title means "Real Man", andchallenges men to improve their attitudes towards women. The aim of this campaign is to raiseawareness among men about their role in the elimination of violence against women. This initiative discourages negative male behaviour, by providing an inspiring model of what it means to beconsiderate and responsible. The campaign messages are designed to contribute to a change inmale attitudes towards more positive and constructive behaviour towards women.

Download the Evaluation [English]

Download the Key Findings [English]

2010 Summer Children and Youth Programmes Evaluation

This program review of Search for Common Ground's Children and Youth Programmes in DRC was conducted in July and August 2010. Evaluation meetings, focus groups and observations were conducted over a period of six weeks and included close to one hundred individuals. The initial first thoughts following the review, was that SFCG-DRC's overall performance over the last five years, was very impressive.

Download the Evaluation [English]

Download the Key Findings [English]

2010 "Kesho Ni Siku Mpya—Lobi Mokolo Ya Sika" Evaluation

This internal evaluation, conducted in late 2010, examines the implementation process, outputs and outcomes of SFCG's "Kesho Ni Siku Mpya—Lobi Mokolo Ya Sika": Tomorrow is a New Day project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project sought to improve civil-military relations and improve accountability of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly as concerns Military Code, rights violations and the dangers of impunity. To this end, SFCG implemented a multi-pronged project utilising media, specifically radio, and facilitated discussion and training for target army brigades in five provinces in the DRC.

Download the Evaluation [English]

Download the Key Findings [English]

2009 Rapport d'Evaluation Cinema Mobile Kamituga-Mwenga

Dans le cadre du programme « Cinéma mobile » une évaluation a été organisée dans le territoire de Mwenga, en vue de recueillir les données auprès des bénéficiaires sur leurs connaissances, attitudes face au viol et violences sexuelles et savoir l'influence que le film a eu sur les spectateurs.  Pour la récolte des données  les évaluateurs ont utilisé la technique de pré et post test aux mêmes individus avant et après la projection des films. On a employé des questionnaires visant un échantillon de 140 hommes et femmes de Kamituga et Mwenga, des diverses couches de la population Le film a eu une influence positive sur les groupes : public, jeunes, autorités et couples, après la  projection. Les enquêtés déclarent n'avoir plus d'inquiétude de vivre avec une personne violée. Aussi, le film a joué sur le phénomène « MIZOMBO » que l'on utilise dans la coutume que si votre fille ou femme est violée ne faut pas en parler de peur de ne pas payer une chèvre. Un interviewé Mr Ramazanikigombe de Kamituga dit « Même si ma femme peut être violé, je ne peut pas la chasser parce que le viol est un acte involontaire, donc faire le rapport sexuel avec une femme contre son gré. »

Download the Final Report [In French]

Download the Key Findings [In French]

2009 Impact des Emission du Centre Lokola a Kinshasa

Pour promouvoir la culture de la paix et changer la manière de gérer les conflits en recherchant des solutions de collaboration, Search For Common Ground a conçu des activités communautaires à caractère socioéconomique ainsi que 7 émissions diffusées actuellement dans plusieurs villes de la RDC au travers d'une dizaine de radios partenaires. Ce sondage a eu pour objectif principal l'évaluation de l'audience radiophonique et télévisée des émissions de Search For Common Ground dans la ville de Kinshasa, particulièrement la nouvelle émission télévisée Tosalel'ango. De manière générale, les émissions radiophoniques de SFCG ont reçu de bon feedback des écouteurs, mais elles ne suscitent pas un grand intérêt de la part du public en général.  Mopila est sortie du lot avec 55% d'audience, tandis que les autres émissions du Centre Lokole enregistrent des taux d'audience en dessous de la moyenne.   En même temps, seule une infime minorité des téléspectateurs Kinois (6%) reconnaissent avoir suivi les émissions du Centre Lokole à la télé. Les évaluateurs ont recommandé plusieurs mesures pour accroître la notoriété des émissions du Centre Lokole à la radio ainsi qu'à la télé.

Download the Key Findings of the Report [In French]

Download the Final Report [In French]

UNHCR Evaluation of SFCG Programming in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Since 2006, UNHCR has funded SFCG to implement media-oriented conflict resolution programming throughout South Kivu and Katanga. The programming aims to decrease conflict among repatriated refugees and residents as well as provide all community members with the skills and knowledge needed to resolve conflict non-violently.  This independent evaluation, commissioned by UNHCR, gauges the extent to which SFCG programming has achieved these goals.  A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze survey data and key informant interviews conducted in Uvira, Fizi, and Moba Territory between September and October 2008.  Key findings demonstrate:

• SFCG is fundamentally changing the way listeners and viewers obtain their information. Listeners and viewers of SFCG programming are less likely to believe rumors and more inclined to obtain information from the radio, local NGOs, and the government. 
• Exposure to SFCG programming correlates with increased knowledge of conflict resolution resources, refugee repatriation, and non-violent methods of reconciliation.
• There are significant positive changes in the perceptions of ethnic tensions, land conflict, and the reinsertion of repatriated refugees among radio listeners and viewers.

Download the DRC Refugee Key findings [In English]
Download the UNHCR evaluation by Grant Gordon [In English]
Download the DRC evaluation [In English]
Download the Burundi evaluation [In English]

Final Report for: Mass Information in Support of Peaceful Congolese and Burundian Refugee Repatriation

Activities in the DRC proved to be highly effective.With significant co-funding from UNHCR, SFCG was able to offer broad and comprehensive programming to the targeted communities. Key findings in the DRC reveal:

• Project activity resulted in a 73% increase in the percentage of Congolese refugees who received information about the repatriation process and the situation at home from SFCG programs. Of the refugees surveyed who listen to SFCG programs, almost all (99%) reported receiving information about the repatriation process and about the situation in their home communities from these programs.
• Key informants, focus groups and survey respondents reveal that the reliance upon radio as an information source increased from the baseline survey. Additionally, results indicated an increased number of people among the targeted populations listening to SFCG radio programs from the baseline assessment
• Beneficiaries of all types reported having more knowledge to resolve conflicts. Women and returnees were two groups in particular that showed increased confidence in their ability and awareness of the resources and information available to them to help them resolve disputes. Returnees, more than any other group, believe they have the information to resolve their conflicts collaboratively and nonviolently.
• As with the baseline, ethnic and land conflict are the two most common types of conflict mentioned by refugees, residents and returnees. Land conflict was a bigger issue for returnees and ethnic conflict for refugees although each camp had its own major issue.

Download the DRC Evaluation [In English]

Download the DRC Key Findings [In English]

2006 Centre Lokolé: Sustainable Peace program Evaluation

This externally led mid-term evaluation conducted by Mary Myers and Judy El-Bushra, of Triple Line Consulting ltd, was undertaken to provide an objective assessment of the programme’s progress against its aims, and its impact to date. The review found that, in general, the programme is on the right track to achieve its purpose (laying the foundations for sustainable peace by enhancing informative and participative communication around the transition process and by contributing to the reduction of tensions in the Eastern Congo) through activities focused on conflict transformation, media training and, to a lesser extent, community reconciliation. Key findings demonstrate that Centre Lokole:

• Is the only organisation in DRC that is advocating conflict transformation to a mass-audience. It combines practical peace-building with the power of the mass-media (i.e. radio), to inform and encourage Congolese participation in the ongoing peace process, as well as influencing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of the audience in ways that can facilitate peace.
• Has promoted conflict transformation communication through its radio outputs as well as through participatory theatre (in which field it has become an important resource), and to a less evident degree through its on-the-ground community work. There is some evidence that CL’s outputs have helped reduce general levels of tension, as well as contributing to specific instances where violence has been prevented, including most notably child demobilisation resulting from 'Sisi Watoto' radio programmes.
• Produces informative, relevant and stimulating material, which is disseminated to mass audiences in parts of the country where few other sources of information or discussion reach.
• Has contributed to media development through the training of professionals – including the young 'Sisi Watoto' reporters - and by setting high standards in its own programmes. It is the only organisation in DRC tackling elections from the standpoint of covering positive stories while being alert to the potential for conflict to result from the language or choice of stories chosen.
• Its programme includes a wide range of activities which are not being attempted by other organisations. These include developing creative radio formats, especially drama; promoting the only production by and for children broadcast throughout the Kiswahili zone; and developing programme formats which allow ordinary people from all over the country to have their say.

Download Key Findings from 2006 DRC Evaluation

Download 2006 DRC Evaluation

2003 Centre Lokole: Bukavu Evaluation Report

This internally led evaluation conducted by Cheyanne Church, Mark Rogers and Adrien Sindayigaya focuses on the programmatic work of the Bukavu office of Search For Common Ground's Centre Lokole Programme. The programme's overarching goals are to support the peace process, to promote unity for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to reinforce the capacity of local organizations to resolve local conflicts through the use of media, arts, dialogue, and training programs based in peacebuilding centres around the country. Key findings demonstrate that Centre Lokole:

• Fills an important supporting role to indigenous civil society in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Developed a highly popular and effective soap opera, yet identified that other radio programming did not share the same level of success
• Increased the demand for conflict resolution skills and knowledge
• The programme would benefit from further coherence between media and outreach activities

Download 2003 DRC Evaluation

Download 2003 DRC Evaluation's Key Findings