Global LIFE Mid-term Evaluation Report : Looking Forward with LIFE (Literacy Initiative for Empowerment)

Overview: What is LIFE all about? LIFE: mid-term evaluation ( ) Progress in literacy rates Implementation process of LIFE: Achievements, challenges and lessons learned Major achievements and challenges with regard to LIFE strategic objectives The value added by LIFE The way forward

What is LIFE all about?  A ten-year framework of collaborative action ( )  For enhancing and improving national literacy efforts in the strategic areas for action on  advocacy  partnership-building  capacity-development for policy & empowering programmes  innovation and knowledge-sharing  LIFE processes should be country-led and country-specific, embedded in national policies and strategies  Contribution to the achievement of EFA, UNLD, BFA, DESD & MDGs  Targets the 35 countries with literacy rates 10 million reported to be non-literate = 85% of the world‘s non-literate population

Contribute to the achivement of the MDGs

Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Madagascar, Sierra Leone South Sudan (2011) Africa: (18 + 1) Arab States: (6) Asia & the Pacific: (9) Latin America & the Caribbean: (2) Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique Mauritania Afghanistan, China, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Brazil Iran, Nepal Iraq Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Sudan Bangladesh Pakistan Haiti Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 (*) (*) Phasing abolished 2008

The overall goal (development objective) of LIFE is: To empower people, especially rural women and girls, who have inadequate literacy skills and competencies.

The strategic objectives of LIFE are: To reinforce national and international commitment to literacy through advocacy and communication. To support the articulation of policies for sustainable literacy within sector-wide and national development frameworks. To strengthen national capacities for programme design, management and implementation. To enhance countries’ innovative initiatives and practices in providing literacy learning opportunities.

LIFE: mid-term evaluation ( ) Pragmatic approach: focus on progress made with regard to the overall goal and four objectives promoted by LIFE Action-oriented and bottom-up approach: evaluation process began at the end of 2009 in LIFE countries and regions (Africa →Asia & Pacific →Arab Region→Brazil →Haiti ) Process of collective reflection: brought together all relevant stakeholders to assess achievements, analyse challenges, and identify good practice

Main purpose of the report: To analyse the overall progress achieved in the pursuit of the four objectives and expected results of LIFE; To highlight inspiring innovations, success stories, challenges and lessons learned; and To develop forward-looking strategies and action points for the remaining period of the initiative ( ).

Progress in adult literacy rates, however, too slow Adult literacy rates have increased by on average 3.1 percentage points in the majority of the (35) LIFE countries compared to the global average of 1.9 percentage points over the period to (29 LIFE countries →increase, 3 LIFE countries → decrease in adult literacy rates) ▲ However, 24 LIFE countries showed an increase in numbers of non-literate adults ▼

Modest progress in terms of reducing gender disparities In 10 LIFE countries the share of reported non- literate women decreased ▲, while 21 LIFE countries faced increases ▼ Only 6 (out of 32) LIFE countries (with available data) recorded a net decrease in the number of illiterate women = Much remains to do to address gender disparities in adult literacy

Implementation process of LIFE: Achievements and challenges Positive response to the LIFE initiative: stakeholders believe that LIFE is an important framework to boost literacy efforts Well-functioning coordination structures were beneficial Extra-budgetary funding (UNESCO‘s CapEFA Programme) has given enhanced impact Difficult to create, renew and maintain momentum for literacy Challenge in creating a common understanding of the initiative Need for a platform for exchange of experience and knowledge was made explicit

Some lessons learned: Experience has demonstrated that LIFE processes are most successful and potentially sustainable… if the approach is flexible and streamlined into national agendas and structures; if strong ownership and partnerships are established; if technical support is available in response to demand; if there is a common understanding of LIFE as a framework for collaborative action, shared by many partners; if activities are able to raise public awareness and obtain media attention.

Major achievements (with regard to strategic objectives): Mobilisation of many people and additional resources through sucessful advocacy events, campaigns and strategies (e.g. social mobilisation) Different actors were brought to work together (e.g. governments and civil society organisations) Development of (new) partnerships and coordination structures, trend towards decentralised schemes at sub-national levels Renewed policies, strategies and action plans, trend towards enlarged vision of literacy as a continuum and part of LLL Enhanced capacities among policy-makers and providers Successful experiences and innovative approaches piloted

Major challenges (with regard to strategic objectives): Continuity of coordination structures and more formalised approaches to partnerships & coordination Low priority given to literacy, political instability Weak mobilisation of resources (e.g. private sector), major funding gaps Policies not conducing to concrete actions on the ground Continued lack of understanding of literacy as a continuum (isolated campaigns vrs. sector-wide & integrated approaches) Weak capacities at sub-national levels affecting quality of delivery Upscaling of innovative pilot experiences and sustainability

The value added by LIFE Promotion of a broader concept of literacy and integrated approaches Availability of know-how and technical assistance Development of networks and South-South cooperation Promotion of effective coordination structures and mechanisms Increased sensitivity to linguistic-, cultural-, and gender issues Sustained enhancement of capacity

The value added by LIFE (cont.) Rich experience and significant lessons learned from the first five years of implementing LIFE which can be applied in subsequent years!!!

The way forward LIFE continues to be relevant and fit for purpose in accelerating literacy. Strategic focus on: Improving coordination and communication Working towards an enlarged concept of literacy Mobilising adequate resources for literacy Strengthening capacities for better policies & programmes Improving quality of teaching and learning Bringing a clear focus on women Using LIFE as a platform for South-South cooperation Revewing the LIFE strategy to plan the next five years

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