HARIT PRAYAS evaluation-Something different!

It was year 2010, when Caritas India thought of a development initiative in Bundelkhand region –considering three years (2008, 2009 and 2010) consecutive drought situation in the region. Finally on Jan 2011thought of caritas India converted in to a Programme called HARIT PRAYAS, which was first of its kind in terms of based on 100% baseline survey, with logo, with local name, partnership with KVK, NABARD and Panchayats and with wider visibility in media and online platform.

In Dec 2013 HARIT PRAYAS Programme would be completing its 3 years and keep this in mind Caritas India along with support agencies (Caritas Spain and Caritas Italian) conducted a unique way of evaluation, where a of total of 7 member team Coordinators and field Coordinators from other projects –JEEVIKA ( Madhya Pradesh) and ANKUR (Rajasthan) , the projects which similar in nature like HARIT PRAYAS  were engaged as evaluators for HARIT PRAYAS project. It took about 7 days (24th-30^th Sept 2013) to evaluate the entire HARIT PRAYAS Programme at 3 districts ( Jhansi, Sagar and Cahatarpur). Before the initiation of evaluation a one day workshop on evaluation tool development been organized by Caritas India and also HARIT PRAYAS been briefed on the same day to evaluators. Along with the coordinators PRI members, government officials, CBMOs members and community members were also the part of evaluation process.  In total 18 villages out of 64 been visited by team members and interacted with about 24 CBMOs, 14 government officials ( from NABARD, KVK, Bank, and agriculture department) and 14 PRI representatives.

On the other hand evaluation been also done through online feedback and suggestions, as HARIT is one of the most active Programme of caritas India on online platform.

In the evaluation process donor agencies (Caritas India, caritas Spain and Caritas Italian) were also involved in terms of sharing their experience and feedback with HARIT PRAYAS Programme to evaluators

On 30^th Sept 2013, evaluators presented the key findings of evaluation at caritas India Head Office and key findings states the following:

• ·         Community owns and feel the impact of HARIT PRAYAS
• ·         HARIT PRAYAS has able to deliver a model of linkages and convergence in terms of strengthening access to rights and entitlements amongst community
• ·         Sustainable agriculture through HARIT PRAYAS been able to spread in region with concept of low input cost
• ·         Community Based & Managed Organizations are some where limited to financial inclusion
• ·         Women Collective farming been emerged as one success but still women farmers need strong identity though Programme
• ·         HARIT PRAYAS as the most covered or known Programme in Bundelkhand region ( with more than 450 news coverage)
• ·         About 90% of Farmers club linked with institutions like NABARD and practice of sustainable technical agriculture ( in the form of usage of organic compost, soil testing, visit to KVK) been increased in 70% of farmers
• ·         Programme is quite visible and impact been shared  to a larger online platform, which has given visibility to the Programme and partners
• ·         Programme partners are able to mainstream HARIT PRAYAS and has developed systems based the functions of HARIT PRAYAS and are grown up as professional organization

What’s next?

Based on finding agencies supporting to HARIT PRAYAS has tentatively agreed to support fo further phase of HARIT PRAYAS and work on next phase proposal is on. Also HARIT PRAYAS evaluation report (detailed one ) is getting translated in Hindi and will be open to all on various online platforms and would also be shared with Media.

Evaluation process has well appreciated by HARIT PRAYAS partners, community and it has also enhanced capacities of Coordinators at partner level. Evaluation process has been widely covered by media.