Project Description

Between April 2022 – September 2022, Cloneshouse was contracted to conduct the mid-term evaluation of the Next Economy Programme (TNE), an initiative led by SOS Kinderdorpen and CrosswiseWorks Netherlands, aimed at promoting youth employment and entrepreneurship in challenging and fragile contexts across Africa, specifically in Mali, Nigeria, and Somalia.

Specific Work Undertaken:

  1. Evaluation Design and Planning:
    • Reviewed TNE’s project documents and its Theory of Change to support internal learning and strategy refinement for project sustainability.
    • Developed tailored data collection instruments to suit the unique contexts of the three target countries.
  2. Data Collection and Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Conducted a desk review of project documentation.
    • Organized workshops with implementers in Mali, Nigeria, and Somalia to discuss project implementation.
    • Conducted interviews with project implementers and Key Informants to gather in-depth qualitative data.
    • Facilitated Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with beneficiaries in each of the three countries.
    • Distributed and analyzed an online survey of beneficiaries to gather broader insights into the program’s impact.
  3. Data Analysis and Reporting:
    • Carried out rigorous data analysis to assess the program’s effectiveness and impact.
    • Implemented quality control measures to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
    • Facilitated stakeholder workshops to present and discuss preliminary findings.
  4. Strategic Contributions:
    • Provided evidence-based recommendations for enhancing TNE’s impact.
    • Assisted in refining the project’s strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.

Outcomes:
Cloneshouse’s evaluation offered a robust assessment of TNE’s progress, highlighting key successes, areas for improvement, and opportunities for scaling impact. This comprehensive evaluation has positioned TNE to enhance its approach to youth employment and entrepreneurship in Africa.