Assignment Name: Baseline Study of Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Phase-III (AVCB III) Project

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The AVCB III project, led by the Local Government Division in Bangladesh, builds upon the success of AVCB II to enhance Access to Justice and Social Harmony in rural areas. Spanning from July 2022 to June 2027, the initiative aims to establish fair and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly benefiting women and marginalized groups through Village Courts (VCs). With support from the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union, and UNDP, the project covers 4,457 unions and focuses on strengthening VC service providers, promoting awareness, and facilitating access to justice for minor conflicts. Strategic partnerships with national institutions and NGOs/CSOs are in place, and the project plans a comprehensive baseline survey in activation areas to measure impact effectively.

The overall objective of the baseline study was to collect the baseline status of different indicators of the project’s M&E plan / Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and generate high quality baseline study report. The study encompassed key areas including community knowledge, access to justice, trust, communal harmony, awareness of VC services, women’s empowerment, and the sustainability of project-generated results in rural Bangladesh. The study spanned diverse regions of Bangladesh, covering eight divisions, 16 districts, 50 Upazilas, and 200 Union Parishads, selected based on criteria such as geographic remoteness, environmental vulnerabilities, social complexities, and economic challenges for a comprehensive project impact assessment.

The study employed a mixed-method design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to comprehensively assess the project’s impact. Initial steps involved planning, document review, and stakeholder mapping. The study employed various tools such as household interviews, KAP surveys, and case document reviews. Data analysis utilized advanced tools like SPSS and Excel for quantitative data and thorough transcription and summarization for qualitative data. A preliminary report was drafted, refined through collaboration with the UNDP team, and validated in a workshop with key stakeholders. The final baseline report was meticulously prepared, adhering to industry standards, and submitted in various formats, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and comprehensive documentation of study outcomes.

The specific services provided by DM WATCH LIMITED team were as follows:

• Consulted UNDP Evaluation Guideline.
• Organized planning meetings with the UNDP and LGD team to agree on study scope, work-plan, implementation modalities, and report outline.
• Conducted a mapping of stakeholders, relevant actors, and research participants through desk review and consultations with the UNDP team.
• Prepared an inception report detailing data collection methodology and study tools in Bengali and English, aligning with the objectives of the study and LFA of AVCB III Project.
• Prioritized ethical considerations, obtaining necessary ethical approvals.
• Prepared and submitted a comprehensive work plan detailing sequence of activities, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Assembled a data collection team composed of qualified and experienced individuals.
• Conducted comprehensive training for data collectors.
• Developed a detailed field work and data collection plan.
• Employed various methods for data gathering, including Household interviews, KAP surveys, and case document reviews.
• Formulated a meticulous data analysis plan.
• Analyzed quantitative data using software tools like SPSS and Excel.
• Transcribed and summarized qualitative data for analysis in NVivo.
• Compiled a draft baseline report providing an overview of project areas based on collected and analyzed data.
• Shared the draft report with the UNDP team for feedback.
• Incorporated feedback from UNDP team and stakeholders.
• Arranged a Validation Workshop to disseminate findings and gather feedback.
• Prepared the final baseline report, incorporating revisions from feedback.
• Ensured high-quality standards in formatting and coherence.
• Submitted clean data in Excel and SPSS formats with complete documentation.
• Delivered the final baseline report in both PDF and MS Word formats.