sustainable development for the fulfillment of children's rights and poverty alleviation

93 Pages·2014·2.23 MB·English

FRAMEWORK REPORT 2013
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT FOR
THE FULFILLMENT OF
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
AND POVERTY
ALLEVIATION
Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013 3
CONTENT

Acronyms and abbreviations 4
2013 Numbers at a glance 5
Executive summary 6
1. Framework overview 8
2. Programme implementation 11
3. Plan’s response to cross-cutting issues 25
4. Advocacy 30
5. Development communication 33
6. Quality assurance and financial management 34
7. Sustainability 35
8. Lessons learned, opportunities and challenges 36
9. Financial management and financial summary 38
Annex I – Project summaries 40
Annex II – Project summaries Finland 84
Annex III – Financial reports 89
Annex IV – Auditors report 93
4 Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACERWC African Committee of Experts on the Rights IME Intercultural Multilingual Education
and Welfare of the Child
INGO International Non-Governmental Organization
AMWCY African Movement of Working Children and Youth
IPGs Informal Playgroups
ARO Asia Regional Office
KAP Knowlegde Attitude and Practice
BIAAG Because I am a Girl campaign
KTEB Kebele Training and Education Board
CA Child Abuse
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
CB Children’s Board
MFA Ministry for Foreign Affairs
CBCPM Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms
NACGs National Action Coordinating Groups
CBCPS Community-Based Child Protection Systems
NCYAB National Children and Youth Advisory Boards
CBO Community-Based Organization
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
CBR Community-Based Rehabilitation
NHRI National Human Rights Institutions
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Discrimination against Women
PMN Pakistan Microfinance Network
CLAC Community-Led Action for Children
PTA Parent Teacher Association
CM Child Marriage
PTSA Parent Teacher Student Association
CO Country Office
PU Programme Unit
CPSs Community Preschools
REDLAMYC Latin American and Caribbean Network for the
CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child
Rights of Children and Adolescents
CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
RESA Regional Office of Eastern and Southern Africa
CSO Civil Society Organization
SAIEVAC South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children
CSW Commission on the Status of Women
SAP Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing
DEO District Education Office
SMCs School Management Committees
DESB District Education and Sports Bureau
SRSG Special Representative of the Secretary General
DMC Disaster Risk Management Committee
TLM Teaching-Learning Material
DPPE Deputy Director General of Department of
TVET Technical and Vocational Education Training
Pre-primary and Primary Education
UBR Universal Birth Registration
ECD Early Childhood Development
UN United Nations
ECE Early Childhood Education
UNDRIP United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
FGM Female Genital Mutilation
Indigenous Peoples
FLNO Plan Finland National Organization
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
GBV Gender-Based Violence Organization
GTS Grants Tracking System UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
HRC Human Rights Council UPE Universal Primary Education
ICT4D Information Communication Technology for VAC Violence against Children
Development
WARO West Africa Regional Office
ICTs Information Communication Technologies
WCYA Children and Youth Affairs office
IEC/BCC Information Education & Communication /
VEDC Village Education and Development Committee
Behaviour Change Communication
VSLA Village savings and loans association
IH International Headquarters
YACAN Youth and Child Advocacy Network
ILO International Labour Organization
YEE Youth Economic Empowerment
Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013 5
2013 NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

428
32 000
ECCD centres were
established or improved
CHILDREN

benefitted from our
57 000

ECCD programmes
129
orphans
and vulnerable children children were reached through
in Mozambique were
identified and included child protection projects
in the ECCD centres
122 090
children (69 423 girls) benefitted

from our education projects
108
21 750 community-
based child protection
children mechanisms were
established or strengthened
and youth were reached through in programme countries
GLOBAL EDUCATION 3 300

INITIATIVES IN FINLAND
YOUTHS ENROLLED
IN SAVINGS AND
77 child marriages were cancelled in the
LOANS GROUPS
Amhara region of Ethiopia
5 000 128 959
YOUTH Overall number

RECEIVED CAREER
of girls reached
COUNSELLING
6 Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Year 2013 was the second year of the Framework Partnership that children are not given rights; they are born with them –
Agreement (2012-14) and as such it was characterised by in- and different stakeholders in the society have a duty to fulfill,
tensive programme implementation. During the first year, the protect and respect these rights. This is why the Programme
foundations had been laid: necessary contracts had been put Implementation section of this report is structured accord-
in place, partnership agreements signed, procurements done, ing to various categories of actors that each play a different
relationships with local authorities and other stakeholders role in development: children themselves; parents, carers and
formalised, baselines carried out and other relevant research families; civil society including Plan and finally government
conducted. As a result, year 2013 had a higher level of institutions at various levels.
budget expenditure than the first year, as it was now possible In order for change to be sustainable, it needs to be
to fully focus on carrying out project activities. Thanks to the realized in slightly different ways by each of these actors.
strong foundation built during the first year, the results of our Through parents’ groups, for instance, we have brought
work started to become visible in 2013; this report highlights improvements to everyday practices that have a direct impact
a number of these while also pointing to several challenges on children (e.g. on hygiene/dietary issues); and through civil
that need to be addressed as we move forward. society partners we have raised awareness of early marriage
Year 2013 has been one of strategic reflection on thematic and other harmful practices. By ensuring children’s direct
programme quality in Plan. Progress has been made in our participation for example in school councils, we have helped
key thematic areas via global reviews, elaboration of global enhance the accountability of the teachers, and by engaging
strategies, the activation of thematic networks, hiring of new with the local government and private sector we have con-
global advisers and work on programme quality stand- tributed towards employment for young women. Consistent
ards. Plan Finland has played an active role in these global advocacy has resulted in legislative change in some countries
processes, thereby striving towards an even stronger One as well as the introduction of new local by-laws in others –
Plan approach across the whole federation. At the same time, and our work with youth and policy-makers in Finland and at
internal reflection on programme quality from the perspec- global level has added an important dimension to this. These
tive of issues such as gender has brought important learnings are but a few examples of Plan’s multi-level approach that
across the programme portfolio. seeks to catalyse change via duty-bearers, civil society and
Achieving a holistic and sustainable development impact children themselves.
is the most important goal of Plan Finland in its programme
work. The Child-Centred Community Development (CCCD) In terms of our thematic engagement, it is worth highlighting
approach of Plan International moves away from a charitable a few key achievements and challenges from the past year:
approach towards a rights-based one, where children’s rights • Our work on gender has taken important steps for-
are a state obligation. Plan’s work starts from the realization ward. Results are starting to emerge from a more gen-
Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013 7
der aware or even transformative programming, and • Plan Finland has a well-regarded global education pro-
there is interesting learning on innovative approaches gramme under its domestic work which has resulted in
to involving men and boys. In 2013 Plan Finland also inspiring youth-driven work between the global South
intensified gender trainings that are provided for all and North. Also advocacy and development commu-
the staff; contributed to global policy work in this area; nication especially around the International Day of the
piloted a Gender Strategy Review tool and developed Girl Child have seen strong results.
a series of six gender studies related to gender aspects
of our Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Certain aspects related to the systems of our programme
programming. implementation also received attention and will continue
• Inclusion of the most marginalized girls and boys re- to do so. In 2013 Plan Finland underwent a Special Audit
mains an important area of improvement. This requires (toiminnantarkastus in Finnish) commissioned by the Ministry
a twin-track approach of targeting particular groups for Foreign Affairs. The findings were generally positive and
such as girls, ethnic minorities, children with disabilities an action plan was prepared for the areas requiring improve-
and other vulnerable groups, as well mainstreaming ment. One element which requires consistent capacity-build-
inclusion aspects in all our work. ing is the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) systems
• Disaster Risk Reduction is an area which needs more at country level. In terms of Plan’s approach to programme
attention in our programming, as well as practical work, reflection has also begun on how Plan offices manage
tools, in order to better adapt to the challenges pre- partnerships with local civil society organisations and how
sented by climate change. civil society can be further strengthened in a sustainable way.
• Plan Finland has spearheaded the use of information Advocacy and building of coalitions at various levels is an im-
and communication technologies (ICT) in development portant element of this; this report contains useful examples
programming within its own programmes as well as of occasions where Plan has managed to bring the insights,
those of Plan International more broadly. The prepara- partnerships and evidence from the grassroots to bear upon
tion of a guide on ICT4D was started in 2013 and a decision-makers at local, national and international level. On
leadership role by Plan Finland as an ICT4D expert all these and other aspects, work continues in 2014, the final
within the federation is finding shape. year of the Framework Partnership Agreement.
8 Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013
FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW
1

Plan Finland’s partnership programme for 2012-2014; “Real- colleagues and partners in programme countries. In 2013 the
izing Full Potential – from Childhood to Empowered Youth” programme was implemented in 15 programme countries
is the fourth framework in the partnership with the Finnish in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as in Finland; with
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The entire programme framework a thematic focus on: 1) Education including early childhood
follows a rights-based approach in line with Plan Internation- care and development (ECCD 36% and Primary Educa-
al’s vision for change: “A world in which all children realize tion 16%), 2) child protection (35% overall), and 3) youth
their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights economic empowerment (6% overall). In addition, global
and dignity”. The overall goal of Plan’s global strategy is “to education in Finland represented 7% of the overall budget.
reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are Special attention is paid to the inclusion and participation
excluded and marginalised, with high-quality programmes of children from marginalized groups; e.g. girls, children with
that deliver long-lasting benefits”. The specific purpose of the disabilities, children from ethnic minorities or indigenous
partnership programme is that “children and youth, both girls groups, children affected by HIV and AIDS and other children
and boys, especially from excluded groups, have strength- in need of special protection. Cross-cutting issues of gender
ened capacity to enjoy their right to a healthy start in life, equality, participation and civil society strengthening are
education, protection and economic empowerment through systematically integrated into all programmes. Strategic
participative, innovative and transformative processes of emphasis is also given to the use of Information Communica-
development at all levels”. tion Technology for Development (ICT4D) and Disaster Risk
The three-year programme is based on Plan Finland’s Reduction (DRR). Through ICT4D, we are encouraging the
Strategy to 2015, lessons learned from past experience as utilisation of technologies to improve project implementation
well as in-depth situational analyses and joint planning with and outcomes and to improve our monitoring and evaluation
systems whilst our DRR work is aimed at reducing the shock
of natural / man-made disasters and to build the resilience
of communities to withstand and bounce back from such
shocks.
Global Education 7 %
The thematic priorities are interlinked and mutually
Primary Education 16 % reinforcing. Our focus on education covers both quality early
YEE 6 % childhood care and development, as well as the transi-
tion to and from primary education, successful completion
ECCD 36 %
of primary education and lower secondary education. To
Child Protection 35 % guarantee quality education, child protection issues need not
only be linked with the creation of child-friendly, gender re-
Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013 9
sponsive and safe learning environments in schools; but also CCCD is premised on the human rights based approach
address child protection needs outside of schools at all levels. (HRBA) and addresses the structural causes of child poverty
Through the youth economic empowerment programmes, and child-rights violations, therefore requiring a long-term
young people can be prepared for employment so that, in strategy. The expected outcomes in relation to changes in
addition to accessing employment, they can also use their policy, public/political will, attitudes and systemic changes
capacities to benefit all aspects of their lives. in service delivery necessitate long-term commitment. At
In terms of its geographic coverage, the Framework is the same time, the immediate consequences of child-rights
quite strongly focused on Africa, with an allocation of ap- violations cannot be ignored. Thus, Plan Finland supports
proximately 56% of overall funding. Another 27% of funding programmes on multiple levels where the specific country
is directed to Asia and 17% to Latin America. contexts, e.g. the state responsiveness and resources and
Global education in Finland is an important component freedom of civil society, need to be taken into careful consid-
of our programme framework. Its purpose is to strengthen eration. This includes work on advocacy at both national (in
global civic engagement and responsibility through increas- programme countries and in Finland) and international (e.g.
ing people’s knowledge and awareness of human rights, spe- at the UN) levels as well as a strong partnership approach.
cifically of child rights, and to better understand global social Corporate partnerships are a part of the approach and in the
inequalities that underlie poverty. Direct youth contacts be- past year, Plan Finland implemented activities in close col-
tween North and South as well as the collaboration between laboration with Nokia, Kemira and Metso among others.
schools in Finland and our partner programme countries are Participatory processes enhance stakeholders’ and
crucial elements of global education. implementers’ ownership of the projects in the programme
In all of our thematic focus areas, Plan Finland has con- countries. Plan Finland promotes joint planning processes and
tinued to further strengthen the implementation of Plan’s supports project inception and implementation through ca-
overall programme approach: Child-Centred Community pacity building and research, thus filling capacity gaps of local
Development (CCCD), which is Plan’s distinctive child- partners and government at different levels. Here it is crucial
focused, rights-based approach together with the partners in to ensure that sufficient time and resources are reserved for
programme countries and regions1. the planning and inception phases of the programme.
At the same time, there is a continuous need for practical
guidance by country offices and partners on the implemen-
1 CCCD relies on the collective action of civil society to empower children to
realize their potential, and on the actions of states to live up to their obliga- tation of the CCCD approach. This is particularly true for
tions under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Conven-
countries where the political environment is less favourable
tion on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
and other international and regional human-rights standards. The approach and receptive to human rights enforcement. Plan Finland is
incorporates an understanding that meaningful changes in the lives of children currently focusing on how to advance more rapidly from the
require social, political, economic and cultural changes at many levels, from the
family and community to the national and global levels. conceptual stage towards the practical implementation of
PAKISTAN
INDIA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LAOS
VIETNAM
SIERRA LEONE TOGO ETHIOPIA
CAMEROON
EQUADOR UGANDA
KENYA
TIMOR LESTE
BOLIVIA MOZAMBIQUE
MFA Programme ECCD
Primary Education
Child Protection
Youth Economic Empowerment
10 Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013
CCCD. In those countries where the political situation is more lead to maximised efficiency and effectiveness.
complex, further strategic thinking and adapted responses It is also worth mentioning that there are big capac-
are required. ity differences between Plan Finland’s target regions and
In line with this approach Plan Finland has gradually countries. Countries that have gone through a conflict or a
shifted from the provision of basic goods and direct service disaster often require more technical support and capacity
delivery towards the capacity building of duty bearers and building on CCCD and programme management than those
utilisation of advocacy as a strategic tool in urging states to where the political and environmental contexts are stable,
comply with their obligations. In fact, the operationalization and situational analyses play an important role in defining the
of the HRBA provided opportunities for adopting broader strategic objectives and responses in programme countries.
lines of action and lobbying for legislative and institutional Despite the existing focus on gender and most vulnerable
reforms and the monitoring of human rights increased in groups, further emphasis is required in order to systematically
all programme countries. This trend is also evident in the address gender inequality, non-discrimination and inclusion in
current framework. Direct service delivery continues to be all programming.
carried out where the local context so requires although its Linking programmes in partner countries and Finland is
role is expected to diminish over time. one of the most promising, albeit challenging areas of work
The previous programme period proved the effectiveness for Plan Finland, the success of which relies strongly on two
of co-funding the MFA partnership programme with other main factors; synergy and complementarity. In other words,
Plan National Organizations2. The new partnership pro- if a programme includes elements of global education, they
gramme continues to promote greater coordination and geo- will be clearly stated and defined in the objectives, common
graphical and thematic alignment of projects/programmes activities identified, and in particular clear channels of com-
funded by different Plan National Organizations in pro- munication will be set up to facilitate the collaboration. Joint
gramme countries. This harmonisation effort is driven by the strategic planning and communication between units within
five year strategic plans of the programme countries, based Plan Finland have also been enforced in line with the NGO’s
on in-depth child rights situation analyses and expected to Strategy 2015. This is expected to lead to stronger linkages
between the programmes overseas and in Finland and the
carrying out of joint programmes/activities. The content of
2 For example, the ECCD programme in Uganda is supported both by Plan
global education is built around mutual learning with the
Finland and Plan Australia and VAC regional programmes supported by Nether-
land, Norway and Sweden, among others. overseas programmes as well as Plan’s priority thematic areas.
Plan Finland – Framework Report 2013 11
PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
2

2.1 ECCD
the years for example through the development of new
regional frameworks that define the strategic direction
In 2013 Plan Finland continued supporting ECCD pro- of ECCD at regional level. However, the lack of a global
grammes in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, ECCD strategy has resulted in different elements/inter-
Pakistan and Timor-Leste. These ECCD programmes focus ventions being prioritized as ‘key’ ECCD interventions,
on four distinct but interrelated components of early child- e.g. many countries consider ECCD to be equivalent to
hood care and development. Parenting programmes address early education (pre-school and primary school transi-
holistic child development and improve services aimed at tions), while others have focused on health interven-
supporting early development, health and protection. In tions rather than viewing ECCD as a holistic theme that
addition, the establishment of quality, safe and gender- incorporates education, health, child protection and
sensitive community-based or home-based early childhood many other components.
development centres provide children access to good quality • Plan’s strength in ECCD currently lies at country level,
pre-primary learning opportunities. Improving the transition though individual programmes are highly varied in
from preschool to primary school and the quality of learning their application of definitions, priorities, practices
in the first three years of primary education contribute to and assessment of outcomes/impacts. Much of this
children’s success in school later on. Finally, to address early programming is of good quality with a number of
childhood in all national policies and plans and to influence examples of transformative programming and a good
and advocate for ECCD policy development and efficient integration of rights-based approaches and cross-
implementation will guarantee that ECCD is included in all cutting issues of gender and inclusion.
planning and budgeting accordingly. • The review proposes a comprehensive framework that
In addition to the work in programme countries, regional is based on evidence from external literature and prac-
level cooperation on ECCD was supported in East and South- tice; expands on, but is consistent with, the strategic
ern Africa. The work in RESA focused on provision of country frameworks proposed by the Plan ECCD Reference
specific technical assistance and carrying out monitoring Group (2009 position paper and 2012 ECCD work-
visits, developing story books production with the Ugandan shop) and is congruent with Plan’s CCCD principles.
and Mozambican COs and on co-financing the Annual ECCD It is also aligned with the existing Four Cornerstones
forum in Zambia in 2013. Plan Finland also contributed to the model and its forthcoming revision.
development of regional ECCD strategies in ARO and RESA as • A potential niche for Plan could be transformative
well as to Plan’s Global ECCD Thematic Review. Some of the ECCD work in addressing gender/exclusion and in
key findings of the Global Thematic review on ECCD include: the intersection between ECCD and violence, notably
• Plan’s high level policy on ECCD has progressed over (though not exclusively) in the transition periods of