1. In Search of Common Ground The Project Sali Usmanu Mallam Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Mboscuda)

2. Summary Introduction Causes and effects The Project and its objectives
Outputs
Challenges
Conclusion

3. Recap - Causes of Conflict
It’s complicated
Competition over land
Demographic pressure due to population increase
Land tenure
Increased herd sizes of livestock
Made worse by climate change and environmental shocks – prolonged dry seasons, heavy and destructive rains & deforestatiom

4. Effects Loss of human lives, assets and money
Social insecurity among farmers and grazers
Fall in crops and livestock production and productivity leading to food crises
Socio-psychological effects on the households such as family disintegration

5. The Project
Project developed by: MBOSCUDA– NWR and VillageAid (UK) to alleviate poverty in the North West Region of Cameroon by reducing conflict between farmers and cattle herders.
Duration: 5 years from August 2013 to July 2018
Funding: The Big Lottery Fund UK
Area of intervention: 23 conflict-prone areas in all 7 divisions of the NW Region

6. Beneficiaries 20,000 direct beneficiaries ⇒ Mbororo cattle herders
⇒ Subsistence crop farmers
In the 14 new project communities and 9 pilot communities.

7. Objectives
Conflict resolution: Reduced incidence and severity of conflict through dialogue and collaboration
Sustainable resources: Improved skills in sustainable farming methods
Clean and safe water: Equitable access to clean water
Strong organisations: Mbororo people having greater capacity to exercise their rights

8. Strategy it uses conflict mediation forums known as Dialogue Platforms
it introduces a range of agricultural practices: Alliance Farming, Improved Pasture and improved water management.
it helps build the capacity of MBOSCUDA so that it can become a ‘centre of excellence’ for promoting Mbororo rights
Partnerships
Co-operation
Reducing Tensions
Alternative conflict mediation
Shared resources
Building capacity

9. How this fits in with Cameroon Development Vision 2035
Consolidation of national integration and Peace in a Country of diversity in collaboration with Civil Society to achieve :
Increase agricultural production
Reduce hunger and poverty
Create employment
Reduce inequalities

10. How we measure success Robust monitoring and evaluation
You will hear more about the evaluation in the next presentation

11. Outcome 1 – Conflict Resolution
Outputs realized :
56 Dialogue Platforms in 20 municipalities in 20 Sub Divisions in 7 Divisions of the NWR
13 Dialogue Platforms initiated by community members out of project communities.
Sharing of best practices in amicably resolving conflicts
Observations through monitoring
920 people have used Dialogue Platforms effectively
92% reported that their cases have been resolved satisfactorily.

12. Outcome 2 – Sustainable Resources
Outputs:
14 biogas plants constructed
14 demonstration plots established
149 alliance farming pairs established are functional
Planted 3,987 trees at 17 catchments and introduced bee-keeping in 10 catchment areas.
Observation through Monitoring:

13. Outcome 3 – Clean & Safe Water
Outputs:
6 water catchments improved providing 45,928 people with clean water
128 WMCs trained
Observation through Monitoring:
Level of knowledge about safe water has increased

14. Outcome 4 – Strong Organisations
Outputs:
Staff (seven staff and 10 Community Resource Volunteers)
Training programmes on risk assessment, conflict mediation, IT training and the use of social media
Community education campaigns (53)
Awareness campaigns (5,000 leaflets and 24 radio programmes).
Observation through Monitoring

15. Challenges
Divisions at grassroots level fueled by corrupt elites and politicians.
Dependency on grants funding for running and project costs.
High demand for project interventions to reach more communities but limited by funding available.

16. Next Steps for MBOSCUDA
Learning from mid term evaluation
Working with stakeholders in the room to develop pathways for tackling the issues in the NWR

17. Thanks for your attention !