This independent, final evaluation presents the findings of the cluster evaluation of three small grant projects implemented between March 2017 and February 2020 and funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women:1. “Improving Access to Life With No Violence for Women Survivors in Central and Northern Montenegro”, implemented by SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence, Niksic;2. “Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Tetovo Region”, implemented by Women’s Forum–Tetovo in Montenegro; and3. “Actively and Publicly Combating Discrimination – Gender Based Violence”, implemented by the Center for Girls in Serbia. The final evaluation found that the empowerment and awareness-raising strategies implemented by the projects were effective, innovative and well adjusted to the target groups.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded “Addressing Violence Against Syrian Refugee Women in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq”, a project implemented by Women for Women International . The project aimed to support women affected by conflict, including Syrian refugees, members of the host community, and internally displaced populations in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The evaluation found that the project was effective and improved the lives of the intended beneficiaries.

From March 2017 to February 2019, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided funding to Asuda for Combating Violence against Women for its initiative “Improving the Response Mechanisms to Sexual and Gender-based Violence against Syrian Refugee Women and Girls in Iraqi Kurdistan”, which was run in partnership with the Ceasefire Center for Civilian Rights. The initiative included all actors involved in the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in the context of a displaced population. The final evaluation found the project had improved community and stakeholders’ responses and social attitudes towards sexual and gender-based violence in Syrian refugee communities, and that the project’s strategy should be used as a model for other initiatives in a similar cultural and humanitarian context.

ALAFIA received funding from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women to implement the project “Eradication of harmful customary widowhood practices that can lead to HIV/AIDS infection” in 24 villages in Togo. The final evaluation showed that the project ended degrading and humiliating widowhood rites against women in these villages and established the principle of equal sharing of inheritance between women and men.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded Najoti Kudakon’s initiative “Establishment of the Women's Support Group and improving of the shelter in Kulob city”. The project, implemented in partnership with Dunyoi Kudakon , aimed to support women and girls living in remote, mountainous areas of Tajikistan’s Kulob region. The final evaluation concluded that the programme was well implemented and successful.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided funding for “Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan and Tajikistan for Displaced Persons through Legal Aid and Training to Combat Violence against Women” initiative from January 2013 – November 2015. The evaluation found the most significant change to be the increasing awareness of women’s rights and SBGV in Afghanistan.

The project Preventing Exploitation, Abuse, Violence and Trafficking of Vulnerable Girls Through the Development of Effective and Accessible State Referral and Support Networks and Services, implemented by the Public Association Child Rights Center and the UK Children’s Legal Center from March 2008 to December 2011, was with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation concluded that the project contributed effectively to crucial changes in the national system of protection and rehabilitation of girl survivors of violence and girls at risk of violence.