NCG, in consortium with Orbicon, has recently been contracted by Danida to carry out an evaluation of the Agricultural Growth and Development Programme (AGEP) in Bangladesh. Support through Danish development assistance (Danida) has played a significant role in the transformation of the agricultural sector in Bangladesh, particularly through the ‘farmer field school’ (FFS) approach developed in the 1990’s. The FFS is an integral part of AGEP, however the programme also places focus on value chains between producers and consumers (“market linkages”) to support the transformation of the rural economy for the benefit of poor, marginal and small farmers.

The key aspect the evaluation will explore is male and female farmers’ use and application of knowledge gained through participation in FFS training, which is envisioned to inform the design of further support for rural development within a new Danida country programme (from 2021).

The evaluation will cover the past 5 years of the Danida-funded programme (2013-2018) and the objectives are threefold:

• To document achievements of AGEP since 2013
• To analyse the outcomes and impact of the integrated farm management component and agricultural and food security project
• On the basis of the lessons learned through the AGEP, to prepare recommendations for the future as inputs for the design of a new country programme for Danida in Bangladesh

Over the past 15 years there has been increasing recognition of the significant contribution of key populations (KPs) to HIV transmission in eastern and southern Africa (ESA). However, these groups suffer from stigma, discrimination and legal challenges, which make it difficult for them to receive HIV services. In some countries in the ESA region the heightened need for effective HIV prevention for KPs has been recognised and has resulted in significant policy developments, funding, and provision of services. In others, conservative social values mean that antagonism towards KPs remains widespread and politicians are wary of being seen to be supportive. This results in weak or non-existent policy and programming for KPs, and in the language of the Sustainable Development Goals, these populations are potentially “left behind.”

Nordic Consulting Group was commissioned by EHPSA to try and understand how positive change has come about for KPs, even in countries with hostile socio-legal environments. Nine case studies investigate the processes leading to a significant step, or steps, in advancing policy and programming for HIV prevention. They also identify the key actors and understand important contributing factors and tactics that brought about the change. The research analysis has specifically reviewed the role of civil society organisations in contributing to change.

The final brief was published in September 2018, and it can be accessed here. 

NCG Partners Catrine Shroff, Louise Scheibel Smed and Julie Thaarup are involved in the project.

NCG is commissioned by Evidence for HIV Prevention in Southern Africa (EHPSA) to conduct the case study series “Included! How change happened for key populations and HIV prevention”.

EHPSA supports more effective and efficient HIV prevention through generating evidence of what works and why in African countries with HIV prevalence levels greater than 10%, and through effectively disseminating this evidence to policy makers, planners and implementers to ensure the development of evidence informed policies and programmes. EHPSA is aligned with the Fast Track strategy to end AIDS by 2030 (UNAIDS 2014). In particular, it seek to support its devotion to use evidence to optimize HIV prevention programmes through a recognition of the rights and needs of key populations that have been left behind the gains made in HIV prevention and treatment efforts amongst the general population. Most vulnerable groups such as LGBT, prisoners, adolescent, sex workers, people who inject drug etc. are targeted by EHPSA and a human rights based approach to HIV prevention is applied.

The two first case studies of the series have now been published: “Changing attitudes in Kisumu: Reducing discrimination and improving inclusion for men who have sex with men in the context of HIV, Kisumu County, Kenya” and “‘Fellow Kenyans’: How Kenya achieved national HIV policy commitments for key populations by 2010”. The case studies can be downloaded here.

NCG Partners Catrine Shroff, Louise Scheibel Smed and Julie Thaarup are involved in the project.