This evaluation of the Enabling Effective and Conflict-Sensitive Responses to COVID-19 to Protect Social Cohesion in Fragile Contexts aims to address the key evaluation objectives which are structured around the OECD criteria of relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Generally, the project identified relevant target groups and defined the most pertinent social cohesion challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. The project delivered on its objectives to increase the effectiveness and conflict-sensitivity of COVID-19 responses and mitigate potential harmful effects on social cohesion. Deep dive case studies identified evidence of transformed attitudes resulting in more inclusive behaviour at the horizontal level and we found evidence of more conflict-sensitive behaviour from authorities, which in turn increased trust in COVID-19 response measures. Sustainability emerged as the most challenging aspect across the deep dive contexts, but it is important to recognize that this is more a reflection of the project’s overly ambitious aims in a rapid timeframe.
