Since 2013, an ongoing initiative has been in place to implement a five-year Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Program in Uganda, referred to as “The Learning Contract.” The primary objective of this effort has been to enhance the capacity of USAID/Uganda to employ a Mission-wide Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach. By adopting this approach, the mission has been able to improve its adaptability, responsiveness, and strategic alignment.
A pivotal milestone within The Learning Contract was the inception of the Child Forum. The creation of this forum was informed by research and predictive analysis, which underscored the necessity for a focused and strategic approach to address the well-being of Ugandan children. The Child Forum gathered over 700 participants from across Uganda and concentrated on four key areas of child well-being: health and nutrition, education, social protection, and involving children in decision-making processes, with particular emphasis on young girls. This forum catalyzed a nationwide commitment to prioritize the youth of Uganda, safeguarding the nation’s future. A video capturing the essence of the forum is accessible here.
Building on the triumph of the Child Forum, an analytical report titled “The State of the Ugandan Child – An Analytical Overview” was produced. This document expanded upon the foundation established by the forum and illuminated a progressive path. These discussions laid the groundwork for the formulation of a new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).
The CDCS stands as one of the most notable achievements arising from The Learning Contract, requiring nearly two years of intensive dialog and collaboration to shape. Grounded in a systems-thinking approach that incorporates Human-Centered Design (HCD), the CDCS outlines an integrated development strategy for Uganda, with a specific focus on integrating youth into developmental endeavors.
Following the successful completion of the comprehensive mission-wide CDCS, a significant role was played by QED in crafting an innovative Performance Management Plan (PMP). This plan details the integration of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) alongside Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) into the mission’s program cycle. This approach was similarly extended to enhance the mission’s Performance Reporting System (PRS), ensuring effective tracking of progress towards the objectives outlined in the new CDCS.
Over the past five years, a range of accomplishments have been achieved, including 16 evaluations, special studies, and assessments; support for 51 USAID/Uganda tasks and 87 implementing partners in formulating 14 activity MEL plans; evaluation of 62 indicators through formal data quality analysis processes; synthesis of 16 evaluation reports; guidance for 41 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) development meetings; engagement of 33 local consultants and 28 international consultants; and the creation of 3 instructive guides.
In the upcoming weeks, collaboration is set to continue as support is provided for USAID/Uganda during the second annual Joint Agricultural Sector Annual Review (JASAR). Similar to the approach taken with the Child Forum, efforts are underway to bring together key stakeholders within Uganda’s agricultural sector to forge consensus on the way forward for strengthening the nation’s agricultural domain. This endeavor is anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing ongoing economic growth and overall development.
The transformative influence of the work undertaken within The Learning Contract has reshaped the dynamics between programs and implementing partners, fostering greater alignment in pursuit of the mission’s strategic aims. As this initiative concludes and Uganda looks towards its future, maintaining a sustained focus on child well-being, especially for young women and girls, becomes paramount. This necessitates innovative and targeted interventions orchestrated by multiple stakeholders to uphold the rights of children. Such an undertaking requires the commitment of all involved parties to policy, legislation, funding, and collaborative outcomes, thereby ensuring a positive trajectory for the forthcoming generations of Ugandan youth