Evaluation of the contribution of capacity building of NGOs to the implementation of advocacy and public services (STUDY)

The mid-term evaluation of the 2015-2019 NGO Capacity Building Call (JR) found that the projects were mostly on track, with good practices and sufficient funding, especially in the context of regional hubs. Nevertheless, there are challenges in cross-sectoral integration, advocacy and inclusion of vulnerable groups, as the monitoring system is not sufficiently operational and administratively burdensome for beneficiaries. The biggest impacts of JR are visible at local level, but without further funding, networks and hubs will not be sustainable, which also threatens services to other NGOs. NGOs with potential were not sufficiently involved and the call did not sufficiently take into account their needs and limited absorption capacities. The evaluation recommends systemic funding of networks, more targeted support according to different needs and greater mobilisation of civil society for active citizenship.