In 2006-2007, FDM undertook a Policy Research on Household Energy and Indoor Air Pollution in South Asia. The study was funded by Practical Action and its objective was to assess the existing policies on household energy and health to reduce the exposure to indoor air pollution in South Asia. The study also tried to identify the gaps in the implementation of the policy interventions to reduce the exposure to indoor air pollution; and provided recommendations for enabling strategy in order to improve policy environment) for reduced exposure to indoor air pollution.The research was undertaken by specialist research institutions and individual consultants in their respective countries, of which FDM was selected as the local consulting firm for Nepal. Both primary and secondary sources were used during the data collection process. The major portion of analysis was done on the basis of secondary information. Several policies relating to indoor air pollution were reviewed. To provide feedback on research outputs and also to exchange experiences among researchers, a sharing workshop was also organized by Practical Action Nepal from 19-20 Feb 2007.
FDM’s evaluation team conducted the final evaluation of the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Project being implemented by HORIZONT3000 and Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN). The evaluation was mainly based on secondary information such as project documents, progress reports, and policy papers. In order to verify the existing information collected from secondary source, the team also conducted focus group discussions, consultations, in-depth interviews, field observation, and case study collection. The report was then formulated with specific section on analysis of projects result, project implementation framework, project’s direct and indirect impact, project efficiency, inclusive participation, sustainability, lessons learned and recommendations.
FDM conducted an output to purpose Review (OPR) of Women’s Network for Strengthening Participatory Democracy Project (WNSPD) which being implemented by SWEET Nepal. It was a project funded by Rights, Democracy and Inclusion Fund (RDIF) of DFID Nepal in 2006. The project’s aim was to build up women’s involvement in decision-making in social and political affairs by forming networks of women at different level. FDM used quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection. Based on the findings, FDM also generated few recommendations, which were used to enhance project management and program implementation.
The Research and Planning Directorate of Nepal Police identified the current research as one of the major activity in their interim support project. The research assessed the factors motivating Junior Commission Officers (JCOs) to provide effective and efficient service delivery and to provide key recommendations on ways to reduce their dissatisfaction and motivate them. Altogether, 327 JCOs were taken as sample through the process of random sampling from 19 different districts in all the five development regions of Nepal. The research team consisted of four research specialists from FDM and staff from R&P D. The study also focused on identifying the factors leading to low motivation resulting in decreased productivity of JCOs and assessed the impact that low motivation has on service delivery. The research provided a series of recommendations?to enhance the motivation level of JCOs.
The R&P D, responsible for conducting research and policy analysis of Nepal Police (NP), identified the current research as a major research area that had direct impact on human resource development of NP. Therefore, the research was conducted in order to provide key recommendations for the improvement of the course design and effectiveness. The Post Graduate Diploma in Police Science (PGDPS) course was initiated in January 2005 as a part of professional development of freshly recruited Inspectors, and in-service?Inspectors, of NP. The main objectives of the research was to identify the effectiveness of PGDPS by assessing the competency and commitment of the graduates, to assess the key gaps/ issues in design and implementation of PGDPS, and to recommend for further improvement in the program as seen appropriate. Altogether 40 PGDPS graduates from all over Nepal were randomly selected as the sample from the target group which included police inspectors who have received PGDPS since 2005.
FDM was involved in providing support to Research and Planning Directorate (R&P D) in publication of a research journal through the entire process of review, selection, and publication of research articles written by various Nepal Police officers and civil society members. The research articles focused on various management and service delivery related issues in Nepal Police and provided recommendations based on those issues. The publication aimed to inculcate the importance of research for effective decision-making and policy planning at all levels in Nepal Police.
The research was conducted by a team consisting of both police officers and external research specialists from FDM with advisory support from Research and Planning Directorate (R&P D). The study has attempted to outline the current situation of community policing in Nepal from the perspective of both civilian and police staff members from Community Police Service Centres (CPSCs) by briefly analyzing the origins of community policing in Nepal, along with the key lessons learnt and challenges. Altogether 75 CPSCs were covered, with total of 237 community members and police officers. Total of four lessons learning workshop were conducted in Hetauda, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Kathmandu. The objective of the workshop was to share best practices and lesson learnt from community policing with police personnel, community people and some government agencies. A separate research article was also developed based on the final report produced on community policing.
The research was a part of interim support activity to Research and Planning Directorate (R&P D) of Nepal Police (NP). It was conducted in order to assess the existing situation of career development in NP, identify the perception of employees regarding career development opportunities within NP; assess the linkage between job satisfaction, performance; and career management; along with conducting a preliminary assessment of training needs for effective performance. Altogether, a team of six members, which consisted of research Specialists and representatives from the R&P D, conducted the research. Career path assessment was conducted using both the analysis of current practices and staff’s perceptions.
The objective of Gender Assessment of Nepal Police (NP) was to assess the current situation of both male and female police officers. The research explored gender differences in policing, and identified few practical and strategic gender needs of both men and women serving in NP. The respondents included Police Constables, Police Head Constables, Assistant Sub Inspectors, Inspectors, and Deputy Superintendent?of Police. Besides, other respondents from outside the valley were also included as sample through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. This research was an additional effort put by Nepal Police in order to make the police organization a gender-friendly institution. The study is expected to act as a foundation for shifting the working culture, which is dependent upon traditional conceptions of male and female.
FDM was involved in the Assessment of District Planning Monitoring and Analysis System(DPMAS), which would support activities for a potential inclusion of the system (DPMAS) in the design of the Evidence for Development partnership between the UK Government and Government of Nepal. This system is a vital link between national planning and citizens, helping in resource allocation, monitoring the effectiveness of programme and accountability enhancement. The field assessment phase was carried out through an intensive interaction with different line agencies in three districts, Parsa, Pyuthan and Sankhuwasabha selected by MoFALD. The assessment also reviewed the indicators for DPMAS to assess the feasibility of collecting reliable data and the strength of the indicators in assessing development outcomes at the district level. Based on the assessment and the results of the consultations around recommendations, a detailed plan for implementation is being prepared.
To study the saving behaviour of Nepali people in general,Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC) carried out a research on saving pattern, behaviour and attitude towards saving of people of Nepal. The study was conducted in eight districts- Morang, Taplejung, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Banke, Dhading, Baglung, Dolakha.With an objective of sharing two hundred years of experience to developing countries and boosting up status of their (developing countries) micro-finance sector, SBFIC was established as a development wing of Savings Bank. It is an institution that is established and run by 400 independent savings banks all over Germany. In Nepal, SBFIC has been working in partnership with First Micro-finance Development Bank Limited for capacity enhancement of its partner institutions (micro-finance institutions and cooperatives).
As a part of DFID’s Security and Justice for the Poor (SJ4P) programme, FDM conducted an RCA study in Accham, Dhanusa, Kapilvastu and Morang. The RCA will serve as a scoping study for all other component activities. It will be particularly useful in developing a baseline survey, as well as for developing an overall monitoring framework for SJ4P. The results of the RCA will also assist DFID in further decision making related to the justice and security sectors in Nepal. The RCA is intended to be longitudinal and to occur at baseline, midline and endline.
FDM conducted a study to assess the usage and audience perceptions of radio in Nepal in nine districts of all five development regions. The research was part of the Samarth–NMDP program funded by DFID. The focus of the study was to assess the audience perception towards agricultural programming in national and local stations. The research also looked into the impact of commercial and community owned radio stations. As part of the study, the team carried out field research in poverty concentrated areas of Banke, Chitwan, Kaski, Rautahat, Illam, Surkhet, Jhapa, Kailali, Rupandehi where farmers and SME owners were interviewed. FDM also used the Reality Check Approach (RCA) in selected districts for the research.
FDM supported the Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) in reviewing their project on Improved Access to Socio-economic Opportunities for Dalits. This was done by assessing the degree of overall progress of the project and judging that against the set targets, objectives and goals. It also examined the institutional set up at local, district and national level. In addition to this, FDM critically reviewed the views and cooperation provided by key stakeholders and Government line agencies at different levels. FDM also worked closely with DNF for developing a project addendum for the output purpose review and also provided recruitment services to DNF for hiring of project staff.
FDM was contracted by DFID Nepal for an assessment to provide inputs on whether flexible district health funding in the health sector of Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is feasible, appropriate and effective to promote decentralized planning and execution of health programme as part of Nepal Health Sector Programme (NHSP-3). DFID Nepal is working with the MoHP and donors to develop a new 5-year health sector strategy and M&E framework. NHSP-3 will clearly articulate both Ministry’s and donors' priorities: how they will be monitored and the total resource envelope needed to implement the joint programme. DFID aims for two main reforms for NHSP-3; one around professionalize health procurement practices and to reduce corruption risks and the other to promote more flexibility in planning and financing at district levels, with the possibility of expanding the small amount of flexible funding that exists at districts to a more formal block grants arrangement. The team visited four districts i.e. Kavre, Dang, Rupandehi and Kaski to gather information from different stakeholders.
FDM was contracted by Mercy Corps to carry out a research on ‘Nepal Determinants of Disaster Resilience Study’ to test key assumptions about what factors affected household and community resilience to the 2015 earthquake(s) and generate actionable findings to inform Mercy Corps’ recovery strategies in the affected areas. The project also aimed at providing impactful relief and recovery assistance that contributes to reducing vulnerability in crisis and post-disaster settings. The sample size for the qualitative data collection was 1200 households of Sindhupalchowk district.
The Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) is a joint initiative of the Government of Nepal and UNDP that aims to expand employment opportunities for the poor, youth, women and individuals from socially excluded groups in selected districts in Nepal. For this purpose, Business Development Service Providing Organizations (BDSPOs) have been subcontracted for micro-enterprise development program implementation in 2014, while District Micro-Entrepreneurs Group Associations (DMEGAs) facilitate the access for micro-entrepreneurs to marketing, technology and scale up related activities. FDM had been contracted by UNDP to conduct an external evaluation of BDSPOs and DMEGAs. The objective of the assignment was to evaluate the performance of these organizations on results of the projects being implemented in 10 districts and provide recommendations on areas of improvement. This study was conducted in Saptari, Siraha, Udaypur, Terathum, Sunsari, Parbat, Myagdi, Baglung, Nawalparasi and Kapilbastu.
The purpose of the assignment was to undertake an evaluation of Norway’s support to women’s and girls’ rights and gender equality in development cooperation during the period 2007-2013 and to assess the extent to which results have been in line with the Action Plan for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation and its four main thematic priorities – political empowerment, economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and violence against women.
The evaluation applied a structure-agency framework, using a gendered political economy approach to understand structural and institutional dynamics shaping Norway's relative efficacy in promoting women's rights and gender equality. This was complemented by an anthropological evaluation approach assessing gender dynamics 'from below' in order to understand effects on locally embedded institutions as well as on individual women, men, girls and boys that Norway supported gender policies and programmes are targeting.
Apart from a global analysis, the evaluation included case studies in Nepal, Ethiopia and Mozambique.
FDM was subcontracted by Save the Children Nepal, to conduct an assessment of its pilot project – My First Baby (MFB), which specifically targets Married Adolescent Girls (MAG). The project was carried out in coordination with Family Health Division and Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in selected VDCs of Kapilbastu and Pyuthan districts. The assessment looked into the possibility of scaling up, replication or embedding with any existing public health program of the Department of Health Services. The major focus was to assess and learn whether there is an increase in the level of knowledge and behavior changes in maternal and their newborn norms from individual and community level. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.\\r\\n
FDM had been contracted by Palladium to undertake fieldwork using Reality Check Approach (RCA) for the DFID funded Integrated Programme for Strengthening Security and Justice (IP-SSJ). For this, a series of RCAs will be conducted in Gorkha, Dhading and Kathmandu. The study intended to provide information to inform IP-SSJ programming in earthquake-affected areas. As a secondary benefit, it also intended to inform future DFID-Nepal programming in earthquake-affected areas, as well as related to the wider earthquake response and recovery. As part of the RCA, researchers spend several days living in local communities to take part in and observe people’s daily lives with the main idea of having a detailed conversation and intense interactions with the community. This gave the researcher the time to understand and contextualize their opinions, experiences and perspectives.
FDM had undertaken a “Review of the 9 Minimum Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community” in collaboration with the UK based research group led by Durham University. The research was based on 2015 earthquakes and associated landslides affecting the mountain and hill districts of Central and Western Nepal, and recent flood events in the Terai, as a lens through which to review the effectiveness of the 9 Minimum Characteristics used by Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) projects. The aim was to gather in-depth knowledge of a small sample of communities and to capture community’s voice on the use of 9 MCs to achieve a disaster resilient community.
The project was conducted in two phases. The first phase field wok was conducted in five districts: Saptari, Mahottari, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur in March/April 2016 mainly focusing DRR in the rural context. Whereas, second phase of field work was conducted in the hill and mountain regions of Nepal looking into the aspects of urban DRR. After the completion of the project, the policy level recommendation was presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD).
FDM iwas involved in a two year evaluation of the STEM Programme (2014 - 2016), which focused on in-school and out of school marginalized girls in 14 VDCs and one Municipality of Kailali District, mainly drawing out experiences of particular groups, including Tharu and Dalit girls. By the end of the program, Mercy Corps expeced that 5,231 marginalized Nepali girls would be able to complete a full cycle of education (or an appropriate equivalent) and demonstrate learning. In this context, FDM’s evaluation team had to design, plan, and conduct an evaluation for two years of the STEM program. The team provided an independent and rigorous evaluation and research function, designing and implementing a framework which assessed the process of delivery, effectiveness, Value for Money (VfM) and impact of the program and reported the findings and lessons learnt throughout the process.
Current Activity
VSOs “Sisters for Sisters Education in Nepal” was a project funded by UK Aid’s Girls Education Challenge Innovation Window (GEC) in collaboration with Ministry of Education (MoE). The project aims to enable marginalized girls to access education and along with those at the risk of dropping out, to complete the full cycle of education and to demonstrate improve learning outcomes. VSO with MoE has contributed to a more child friendly learning environment in schools and communities.
The projects endline evaluations has been conducted in 48 target schools and 40 non-target schools and their catchment area in four districts namely Dhading, Lamjung, Parsa and Surkhet. The target groups were parents, teachers, head teachers, grades 2, and 4 to 7 girls.
In this context, FDM assessed the process of delivery, effectiveness, Value for Money (VfM) and impact of the project and reported the findings and lessons learnt throughout the process.
FDM had applied for the baseline, monitoring and Evaluation of Connecting Classrooms Project being implemented by the British Council. Connecting Classroom is the British Council’s flagship international education programme, delivered in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID). Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme for schools designed to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and values to live and work in a globalised economy, and make a positive contribution locally and globally. The project will be undertaken in Kavre, Kaski, Nawalparasi, Rupendehi, Jhapa, Surkhet and Kathmandu.
The overall objective of this assignment is to provide independent monitoring and evaluation with special focus on baseline and endline evaluation of the project. More specifically, the assignment will be focusing on monitoring and evaluation of core skills and curriculum mapping.The main purpose of the in-country baseline, monitoring and evaluation assignment therefore is to identify whether the programme addresses the identified problems mentioned in the theory of change (ToC). In addition, it will also identify the present situation of primary school teachers and situation after the piloting of the resource manual and collect the feedback from the teachers on areas of improvement. \r\nThe project is expected to start from June 2016.FDM was contracted by ITAD Ltd to undertake fieldwork using Reality Check Approach (RCA) for Independent Monitoring and Evaluation of Nepal Rural Access Program III. For this, a series of RCAs was conducted in mid and far western regions of Nepal over the period of 2013-2017, with the objective of conducting poverty assessment in order to influence policy and practice around state and private sector service provision. A scoping study was completed in December 2013 for which FDM made all logistic arrangements and recruited researchers for the RCA in Dailekh and Kalikot. As part of the RCA, researchers spent several days living in local communities to take part in and observe people’s daily lives with the main idea of having a detailed conversation and intense interactions with the community. This gave researcher the time to understand and contextualize their opinions, experiences and perspectives.
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