GRET led and supported the implementation of a change-oriented monitoring-evaluation mechanism for agro-ecological and social transition support projects financed by Jafowa. The construction of this system was the culmination of a framework workshop organized in Thiès, Senegal at the beginning of the year.

Funded by the Network of European Foundations (NEF) and chaired by the Fondation de France, Jafowa is a non-profit association based in Brussels. Its action is part of a West African political agenda where the agro-ecological and social transition is carried by a panel of varied actors such as farmers' organizations, regional networks such as Roppa, NGOs and social movements, institutes of research and universities, private actors, international agencies and public authorities.

Developing synergies

Jafowa's ambition is to "establish a dynamic, inclusive and equitable peasant movement in West Africa", enabling peasant, pastoral and fisheries organizations to support and manage quality local food systems, benefiting economically and ecologically to communities in a sustainable way.

It thus intervenes in three areas: on the one hand, it facilitates and supports the strengthening of alliances around farmers' organizations and their vision of change; on the other hand, it provides financial resources to farmers' organizations and their partners within the framework of calls for proposals; finally, it promotes the sharing of experiences and technical skills with and between farmers' organizations and their partners.

Monitor the concrete impact of funded projects

GRET has joined Jafowa to support the implementation of a change-oriented monitoring-evaluation system for projects funded by the association. The main objective of this system is based on the study and monitoring of the progressive changes initiated by the projects, in order to provide a concrete overview of the progress and the resulting benefits. At the end of the February 2020 workshop, GRET organized and led virtual workshops for the co-construction of tools and materials for monitoring and evaluating the changes brought about by the funded projects.

More specifically, this device will contribute to:

encourage scaling up, so that the actors of the value chain are integrated into a process of sustainable agroecological transition;
promote partnerships, so that producer organizations engage with public and private actors in effective and innovative partnerships, by developing a collective reflection on the change expected in the longer term;
focus on actions directed by or towards women and young people with a view to building their capacities and empowering them;
carry out advocacy at national and local levels, with the various actors of the agroecological transition in West Africa.