4.4 Changes on societal level Impact changes on societal level have been included above where of relevance. However, not all forms of impact naturally fall under any of the discussed the headlines. Here, we add a few points where we see the two programmes combined in a zoomed out perspective, namely friendship work as a contributor to a strengthened civil society and internationalization of schools and communities.
4.4.1 A strengthened civil society ‘Many NGOs like USAID have been in the region for a long time giving funds for development but once they leave, all the development initiatives also stall. What I like about the FNS programme is that they invest in people and that is something that can never be taken away from us even if the program ends today’ - The coordinator of the Homa Lime group in Kenya (partnership with Verdal Municipality) In addition to the societal changes already mentioned, friendship work serves to strengthen civil society and in particular civil society outside the capitals where most friendship schools and communities are based. The village Homa Lime is one example, based by the Victoria Lake West in Kenya, one day’s drive away from the capital Nairobi. The quote highlights the strength and sustainability in capacity building and people to people contact. On average 77% of the questionnaire respondents from both programs and all regions answer the highest 5 or 4 when asked if they think their civil society strengthened locally after the exchange. The percentage is 91% if we include those who answered 3 as shown in Figure 22 below.
Figure 22: Friendship work effect on civil society - both programmes I don´t know
High (4)
4.4.2 Internationalization of schools/ communities
When questionnaire respondents were asked if they think they are a more international school and/or community through the friendship project, 80% on average answer 5 or 4 as shown in Figure 23 below.
39 %
Figure 23: Internationalization of school/ community - for consistency both programmes I don´t know 100 %
High (4)
8 30 % 50 %
56 %
21 25 % 38 %
44 %
Average all regions
Central America
Palestine
Norway
East & Southern Africa
0%
44 %
20 %
63 %
40 %
11 22
60 %
27 %
Average all regions
Central America
80 %
Fair (3)
6%
10 % 14 38 %
33 %
Palestine
FNS Evaluation Report 2014
Our material illustrates that Friendship North/South’s goal to help build and strengthen local networks that work towards positive community development is fulfilled by the programmes and best documented in The Community Programme.
Highest (5)
Indicators of a strengthened society can be more contact between different groups in the local community, that information is spread and received by many people, that the groups are visible, heard and taken seriously on a local
50
“What I like about the FNS programme is that they invest in people, and that is something that can never be taken away from us”
22 %
17 % 17 33 %
56 %
Norway
East & Southern Africa
0%
33 %
20 %
11 % 11 33 %
40 %
56 %
60 %
28 % 28 % 32 %
80 %
11 %
120 % 100 %
Fair (3)
level. It should be mentioned that most respondents were not informed about what FNS means in terms of civil society or relevant indicators of a strengthened civil society. We have reasons to believe that many, particularly among the youngest respondents, found it challenging to answer the question correctly. The numbers still give a fair indication that participants believe projects have positive influence on their local communities. The data is strengthened when we look at the numbers of positive respondents when the questionnaire asks directly if different institutions and groups in the community collaborate because of the project. A broad majority 69% on average rate the question to the highest 5 or 4. For example, the association Stavanger – Nablus (Nablusforeningen) collaborates with the municipality, schools, universities, museums and art institutions. This network ensures a rich result in that the knowledge, interest, engagement and responsibility are shared widely, one member tells us.
Highest (5)