Civil Society

This presentation is taken from the outcome assessment of the results and lessons learned of Swedish development cooperation with Nicaragua 2001 – 2008 – for full text and detailed references see document Outcome Assessment 2001-2008.

The information presented indicates that there have been positive results of the support to civil society organisations, especially in the short term for the local organisations receiving support and to some extent for the ultimate target groups. Swedish support has contributed to civil society advocacy on governance, democracy, human rights, children’s rights and gender equality. It has equally made it possible for the organisations to prepare the ground and advocate for legislation on domestic violence, the protection of children and youth, and equal opportunity. Subsequently laws in all three of these areas were passed. On the basis of the information available, it is however not possible to determine the results of the Swedish support to civil society organisations in terms of their contributions to democratic and transparent governance.

Sida has supported national civil society organisations both directly and through Swedish NGOs. In one case, a Swedish NGO, Forum Syd, has been contracted to manage a joint fund for support to civil society in Nicaragua on behalf of Sweden and other donors.

The support through Swedish NGOs (with 100 % financing from Sida/RELA), as well as the direct support to national NGOs, is mainly given for advocacy on governance, democracy, human rights, children’s rights and gender equality. It is thus mainly related to the first thematic area of Swedish support outlined in the Country Program 2003-2005 – “Support to democratic and transparent governance through change in central government institutions”. Through this support active participation of the population and civil society organisations is sought and encouraged. The following programs have been reviewed:

FED - Multidonor Fund for Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Rights,

Forum Syd - Equality Program

Forum Syd - Country Program Nicaragua

Diakonia – Country Program Nicaragua

CENIDH (Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos)

CPDH (Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos)

Movimiento Comunal Nicaragüense

FED - Multidonor Fund for Gender Equality, Sexual and Reproductive Rights

(2007-2008; 5.6 MSEK)

The overall objective of this Fund is to strengthen the capacity of civil society to promote the acknowledgement and fulfilment of the sexual and reproductive rights by the society and the state. The multi-donor fund was established at the end of 2005 by the Netherlands, Finland and UNFPA to promote a more coordinated and harmonised support to the Nicaraguan civil society in accordance with international conventions and policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Several other like-minded donors including Sweden later became members of the fund. Forum Syd Nicaragua was contracted to manage and administer the Fund. Open tenders are carried out on an annual basis and proposals from civil society organisations are evaluated according to pre-established criteria. The Swedish contribution to the Fund is 5.6 MSEK, which represents about 20% of the total.

A Midterm Review in 2008, notes that FED is providing flexible support to civil society organisations for their institutional strengthening and the implementation of strategies promoting sexual and reproductive rights. The program has provided opportunities for cooperation between organisations working in critical areas, such as abortion and HIV/AIDS; and has proven an effective instrument for the harmonisation and articulation between donors. The Review notes that although the time of implementation is short, some indications of impact from field interviews with women and youth involved in projects can be noted. The interviewees explained that the projects in question had helped to open up spaces for discussion of themes, such as abortion and HIV, especially among youth.

However, the tender process had not provided an opportunity to direct the support towards local actions as intended. The criteria for selection of projects had favoured well established organisations, limiting the possibilities for smaller organisations at local level to access funds. Furthermore, Forum Syd which was responsible for the administration of the Fund, had neither been able to establish a stable team, nor introduce well functioning administrative routines.

Forum Syd - Equality Program

(2000-2006; 37 MSEK)

The aim of this program was to strengthen the advocacy work for gender equality of counterpart organisations and other strategic actors. Forum Syd was initially commissioned to manage Sweden´s long term support to Nicaraguan women’s organisations. During the first phase (2000-2003), Forum Syd continued to support the same organisations as the Embassy had done in the past, but in addition offering project management support and training . The target group during the second phase (2003-2006) was strong women’s organisations, (mainly the same as in earlier years), youth organisations and counterparts to other Swedish organisations in the country. According to the Final Report 24 organisations received support during the second phase. The total amount contributed for the two phases was 37 MSEK.

The program was evaluated after the first phase. It was concluded that much focus had been put on administrative issues and less on the impact of the program. The evaluation stressed the need to develop indicators, as well as strategic directions for the program.

An study in 2006 concluded that the support had provided important funding to the counterparts. The training in gender mainstreaming had been important at a personal level for those attending, and had also been very useful for the organisations in terms of developing internal policies and gender balance. At the national level one organisation receiving support had been able to influence the national employment policy; another had made contributions to the national agenda against gender based violence.

The program had however more the character of fund management than a strategic development intervention. There was a lack of strategic planning, especially in terms of gender, and the impact on public policies was modest. Furthermore, insufficient institutional capacity of Forum Syd Nicaragua and the absence of support from its headquarters in Sweden had caused problems for the program.

Forum Syd - Country Program Nicaragua

(2004 – 2007; 10 MSEK)

The aim of the program was to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations to promote the participation and influence of population groups with low representation in the political process. The program forms part of a Regional Democracy program in Central America (Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). The total amount for Nicaragua was 10 MSEK.

An evaluation of the Program in Nicaragua included a questionnaire to representatives of organisations receiving support. The answers showed that the organisations estimate that they had been able to influence local authorities and other organisations in about 80% of the cases where they had presented proposals or petitions. Answers to another questionnaire to participants in projects implemented by the organisations, showed that they had understood the difference between being “subjects with rights and obligations” and “objectives/ beneficiaries/ clients” of policies, programs and projects. They also had gained respect for the decision of the majority, as well as for the protection of the environment.

The analysis of Forum Syd’s Country Programs in Central America (2008) notes that

these programs are the first of its kind for Forum Syd. It is concluded that the organisation had underestimated the challenge implied in making the transition from an organisation skilled at recruiting volunteers to an organisation for implementing complex development programs. As a result, implementation was delayed, and there was a mismatch between capacities, established objectives and plans, and the technical back-up from the headquarters in Stockholm was inadequate.

The evaluation points out that the termination of the support is likely to cause serious problems. Some of Forum Syd´s Nicaraguan counterparts will probably find other sources of financing to consolidate their activities, but in view of the serious regression of the respect for human rights (particularly women’s rights) the termination of a program deeply involved in these themes is likely to have negative consequences.

Diakonia – Country Program Nicaragua

(2001 – 2007; 33 MSEK)

The aim of the program was to increase the participation of the target population both in democratic institutions and civil society through activities strengthening the democratic structure and culture, based on equality. Diakonia has supported civil society organisations working with training for democracy in the Atlantic Coast regions of Nicaragua. The total amount contributed is 33 MSEK.

The Evaluation of Diakonia’s Latin America Programme (2008) found a remarkable change among the participants in the training programme in Nicaragua in terms of improved knowledge of their rights and of the workings of local governance. This change at the individual level is contributing to a strengthening of local organisations and to the innovative ways in which they are currently conquering a space for political participation. Such a process, however, cannot be attributed to Diakonia funded activities alone but must be understood in a larger context. Nevertheless it is certain that the efforts of the organisations receiving support from Diakonia have made people question and even challenge authoritarian rule by institutional means.

CENIDH

(2001-2009; 6.4 MSEK)

CENIDH (Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos), established in 1991, is the leading NGO promoting defence of human rights in Nicaragua. CENIDH is supporting the legal process of individual cases, produces annual reports on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua, supports the establishment of local human rights commissions and provides training of local volunteers. Sweden has supported CENIDH 2001 - 2009 with 6.4 MSEK.

The Annual Report 2007 notes that during that year 11,500 persons (4,000 men and 7,500 women) benefitted from CENIDH´s services and 850 volunteers had been trained. The number of cases attended 2005 – 2007 had reached 17,000, which was well above the target (13,500) set in the strategic plan for 2005-2009.

CPDH

(2003 – 2007; 4.4 MSEK)

La Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos (CPDH) is an NGO working to protect and promote human rights in Nicaragua. The organisation was founded in 1977 and provides training and legal advice in the area of human rights. It also informs the public about the human right charter and participates in public debate.

Sida has supported CPDH 2003 – 2007 with 4.4 MSEK for activities focused on women´s, adolescents´ and children’s human rights. The aim has been to contribute to the respect for their human rights by strengthening the capacity of women, adolescents and children to promote and protect their human rights and to increase their access to the justice system.

During 2006 the activities of CPDH to promote human rights, coordinate with other actors and strengthen social communication increased and the results of these activities surpassed project estimation. The organisation participated actively in the national debate, presented several appeals on human rights cases and gave particular impetus to the issues of intra-familiar violence.

Movimiento Comunal Nicaragüense

(2004 – 2007; 3.5 MSEK)

The objective of the support was to strengthen the capacity of MCN to promote the participation of citizens and an improved and extended mobilisation of the population (especially in the municipality of Managua) in their struggle for a dignified way of life. The total amount contributed by Sweden was 3.5 MSEK.

The expected results were achieved to an acceptable degree and have contributed to strengthen the capacity of MCN. There is now an organisational diagnostic study as a basis for the strategic plan; a steering system with operational plans and routines for monitoring and evaluation; strategies and forums for gender and youth; and an educational strategy with courses for community leaders. It is however difficult to assess to what extent and how the democratisation and organisational changes of MCN have contributed to the mobilisation of Nicaraguans in general.