The Livelihoods and Women’s Empowerment Program is implemented by the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Vanuatu. The project has been running since 2012, funded through the Australian Government’s Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) as well as from donations from Anglicans in Australia.
Now at the end of the second phase of activity, the project has developed from a solar project based on the similar Bringing Light to Rural Communities in the Solomon Islands, to a successful standalone with a stronger focus on livelihoods and women’s empowerment. AOA supports ACOM in the implementation of the Livelihoods and Women’s Empowerment Program with the aim to build self-reliance through increased household savings, and reduced gender based violence through community advocacy.
The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the worth of the project and the value of the project approach heading into the third phase. Using the recommendations of this evaluation as a guide, the project will be redesigned using lessons learnt to be stronger and more effective as we head into the next phase of activity.
Overall, the evaluation found that despite the challenges that the evacuation of the island of Ambae (a key project activity area) and the subsequent diversion of resources to support evacuated residents, the project had a positive influence on household savings through Saving and Education Groups, and had increased women’s agency.
Click here to read the full report.