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Evaluation of a Multi-National Conflict, Justice and Rehabilitation Program
Client
European Institute of Peace
Countries
Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Iraq, Netherlands
Services
End-to-end research, assessments and evaluations
Team
Sanghamitra Mazumdar, Paul Clewett
Start Date
June 1, 2024
Thematic Area
Livelihoods, Peacebuilding & Social Cohesion
Methods
Key informant interviews, Desk research / Literature review, Validation workshop / survey
Project Summary
The European Institute of Peace (EIP) is an independent organization dedicated to advancing sustainable peace through mediation, dialogue, and conflict resolution. It leads the Conflict, Justice, and Rehabilitation (CJR) program, which aims to strengthen justice and rehabilitation efforts in conflict-affected contexts by supporting locally driven solutions. The program operates in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Ethiopia, focusing on transitional justice, reintegration, and inclusive governance.
Nurai conducted an interim evaluation of the program, which supports rights-based interventions in conflict-affected contexts. The evaluation was a learning-focused review of program design and execution, assessing the effectiveness of strategies in addressing urgent justice and peace building needs. We applied a qualitative, multi-method approach which included a desk review, Theory of Change validation, in-depth interviews, and an online stakeholder validation survey. A critical component was our assumption-testing methodology, which examined whether project activities effectively translated into meaningful outcomes.
The evaluation provided critical insights into the effectiveness of EIP’s CJR program, highlighting its strengths in addressing justice and rehabilitation needs while identifying areas for improvement. Findings showed specific factors which allowed the program to successfully adapt to shifting political dynamics, fostering trust among local actors and enhancing reintegration efforts.
Client Review
"We had a complex assignment for an interim evaluation focused on learning - a multi-country portfolio with a tight deadline - which Nurai delivered effectively. They were responsive to our needs, adapted to necessary changes, and remained communicative and collaborative throughout the assignment. I was particularly impressed with their capacity to conduct data collection quickly and efficiently in parallel across several countries and contexts, while delivering a coherent and timely final report."
- Ivan Shalev, Senior Programme Manager, European Institute of Peace
"The team has particularly appreciated the outstanding professionalism, flexibility, and continuous support provided throughout the evaluation process. Nurai’s commitment to understanding the projects in depth, offering constructive feedback, and maintaining clear and consistent communication has been invaluable. The work was well structured, and the lead researcher ensured that we were kept informed at every stage, delivering quality results on time. We also value the openness of the Nurai team to ongoing dialogue and feedback."
- Sarah Saija, Programme Assistant, European Institute of Peace