The project “Sustainable Improvement of Living Conditions in 100 Villages of Gujarat through Strengthening Public Participation in Local Governance” was implemented by Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) with financial support from Don Bosco Mondo and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) from September 2016 to November 2019. Implemented across 100 villages in the districts of Kheda and Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat, India, the project aimed to improve quality of life through strengthening participatory local governance, improving health, education and income of the village population.
This final evaluation assessed the project’s achievements using a utilisation-focused approach grounded in OECD DAC evaluation criteria. The evaluation primarily applied qualitative research methods. Comprehensive desk review of project documentation was combined with analysis of relevant national and regional policy and strategy frameworks in India. As part of the evaluation process, the Team Leader conducted a field mission to India to oversee field-based data collection and stakeholder consultations across the target areas. Primary data collection included individual and group interviews (more than 40 interviews in total) with project beneficiaries, including self-help groups, participants of entrepreneurship, income-generation, and career development training, as well as implementing partners, community representatives, and local government stakeholders across the target areas.