Promoting development cooperation through partnership with a voluntary network. Evaluation of the Development Cooperation between the Norwegian Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (NFU) and the Caribbean Association CAMRODD

Background

The evaluation was commissioned as the final evaluation of the partnership between CAMRODD and NFU.

Purpose/objective

1. To review CAMRODD's work as a regional network to assess its impact on persons and families with developmental disabilities.
2. To assess the impact of the SCcOPE program in the different countries in which it has been implemented for organizations of CAMRODD and persons with developmental disabilities.
3. To review NFU's contribution to CAMRODD's development as a network

Methodology

The evaluators interviewed a range of persons and were able to obtain multiple perspectives about the operations of CAMRODD and its partnership with the NFU. The evaluators talked to persons who were in the roles of participants, organizers, trainers as well as leaders within CAMRODD.

The evaluators were also able to obtain a public view of CAMRODD based on interviews with key personnel in the ministries of education and social development in different countries and members of disability organizations not affiliated with CAMRODD. There was evidence of CAMRODD's intervention in the activities organized at the local level in member countries.

Key findings

During the period under review there were many challenges with the NFU-CAMRODD partnership. However, this evaluation team believes that the partnership has contributed to the changing perceptions and attitudes of governments and society within the Caribbean.

Through their many programmes the partnership has helped to promote the rights of persons with developmental disabilities and can claim ownership to some of the influencers for the changes in attitudes and future benefits that persons with developmental disabilities receive from regional governments and the society at large.

Recommendations

The following recommendations are designed to respond to the challenges identified by those interviewed and based on the conclusions drawn by the evaluation team.

FOR CAMRODD
• Review the bylaws to reflect the organization's needs in 2007 and beyond by defining the roles and responsibilities of Board Members, setting a term limit in office for elected officers, defining the roles and responsibilities of member country representatives, defining processes for operations (e.g. Communication protocol, decision making, conflict resolution, accountability checks and balances)
• CAMRODD is encouraged to develop a strategic plan (short, medium and long term goals) in pursuit of its dream and in turn develop tactical or annual plans to deploy the strategy.
• Consider the use of technology to improve communications within CAMRODD (teleconferencing and internet chat rooms).
• CAMRODD should consider developing projects that simultaneously include all member countries and these should be coordinated to have the impact of mass, timing, and scale.
• CAMRODD should seek to cultivate champions to promote its cause.
• CAMRODD should seek to partner with other organizations, in the Caribbean, working for the rights of persons with disabilities, to capitalize on the synergy and potential benefits of critical mass and coordinated effort.
• CAMRODD should seek to develop its capacity for report writing, proposal writing and project management.
• Consider seeking funding for individual projects and embark on a sustainability drive by ensuring delivery of the project objectives.
• Consider including persons with developmental disabilities as active members of CAMRODD.
• Pay special attention to terms and conditions when arranging future partnership agreements and uphold CAMRODD's responsibilities contained therein.

FOR NFU
• Adhere to the terms and conditions contained within the partnership agreements and ensure that partners are clear on the objectives of the partnership.
• Leverage NFU's experience and organizational capability to assist with the development of the partner organizations. Consider a more active approach during the formative part of the partnership, starting with a coaching then moving to a consultative role, especially with assisting the partners to develop capacity and systems to deliver on the objectives of the partnership.
• Utilize processes to triangulate, or cross reference, reports from corporation partners.

Comments from the organisation

The evaluation portrays a fair picture of the partnership between CAMRODD and NFU.