In Acord Newsletter Issue 1: February 2001

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Article 4:

Latest impact report shows ACORD worked directly with over 570,000 people

A recent report on the impact of ACORD's work in 1999 shows that it worked directly with more than 570,000 people living in remote and inhospitable areas or in rapidly burgeoning slums in Africa. This was achieved at a cost of £7.7million, or £14 per person.

ACORD provided a wide range of support in 1999, enabling people to improve their own circumstances and facilitating the emergence of stronger grassroots organisations. This was achieved despite conflict, chronic insecurity, climatic and environmental change and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, factors that undermine development processes, and further add to the cost of assistance.

Over 170,000 people (48% female), received direct support to their livelihoods. The major impacts of this were increased status for women and marginalised groups, people's increased capacity to cope with natural disasters and conflicts, more resources for communities to meet their social responsibility and assisting the poorest. This support was achieved at a cost of £3.8 million, or £22 per person.

According to the report, 141,000 people (55% females) benefited from material support in terms of improved basic services such as water, education, health, shelter, roads and bridges.

The major impact here was a generally healthier population, new substantial micro businesses and increased social cohesion. Furthermore, a sense of community ownership was developed as the activities were promoted through participatory processes, which not only improve the prospects of sustainability, but also lead to better managed community based organisations. This support was achieved at a cost of £1.9 million, or £14 per person.

ACORD's work in 1999 also provided significant organisational support, which included animation and training support to community based organisations (CBOs). Over 12,000 people received support to develop organisation skills. A further 57,000 received information on the role of CBOs and the responsibilities of their members. This was achieved through mass meetings, theatre, workshops and special training events.

The major impact of this support was increased involvement of women in CBO management, enhanced group cohesion through better financial management and documentation, and increase in community driven change without external support.

Over 54,700 people (48% female) received training in gender awareness, peace building, rights and social exclusion in order to challenge CBOs' assumptions of themselves and to encourage them to play new roles. The major impact of this work was changed attitudes to girls' education and reconciliation between communities.

Organisations also received training in advocacy and opportunities were provided to facilitate networking and links to the wider civil society. This led to improved co-operation among CBOs and local institutions. A major impact of this work is that both local government and NGOs are increasingly seeing CBOs as partners, rather than as groups who must be mobilised to implement projects. There is greater recognition of the roles they can play in supporting the aged, the disabled, orphans and the poorest.

ACORD's programmes also made a significant impact with regard to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 112,538 people (50% female) were provided with information on the transmission and effect of the HIV/AIDS virus and 22,321 people were trained as counsellors or activists. In acutely affected areas, ACORD worked with 3,231 people affected by AIDS (56% female) to establish viable businesses that could support the families after their death.

This work resulted in noticeable changes in practices and behaviours amongst youths and reduced stigmatisation of people with AIDS.

ACORD continued to work on gender issues in 1999, providing training in gender awareness to 39,184 people (48% males) at a cost of £521,497.

The impact of ACORD's advocacy and rights work was also significant. For instance, the pilot "Total Child" programme in Namibia had such a positive impact that it was scaled up nation wide. The September 1999 peace conference in Gulu, northern Uganda contributed to a conducive atmosphere for peace. Work on land rights with traditional land users in Angola led them to win a favourable outcome in a major land dispute and resulted in the creation of a forum for land disputes before they go to court.

Many of the activities in 1999 were accompanied by Action Research, a form of research which increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the activities. It is also increasingly being used for informing local and national debate.

ACORD's 1999 Impact Assessment Report is available from the Programming Department in London.

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