Project Snapshot
BRACE is a three-year project funded by the European Union, aimed at promoting sustainable environmental management in mining regions of Ghana. Implemented by A Rocha Ghana in collaboration with Nature Development Foundation and Wacam, the project focuses on enhancing community resilience in the Eastern, Ashanti, Western North, Western, and Ahafo Regions.
Project Objectives
– Main Goal: Strengthen the capacity of local communities to hold state and private sector actors accountable for environmental rights violations related to extractive activities.
Specific Objectives:
- To build the knowledge, capacity and skills of target groups to hold state and private sector actors to account over violations to communities’ environmental human rights, lands, and natural resources by damaging extractive developments;
- To provide access to justice systems for local communities whose environmental rights, lands and natural resources have been violated or are threatened by extractive sector activities;
- Establish mechanisms for direct engagement between communities and duty bearers to defend their environmental human rights;
- Build the capacity of Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) Executive Committees to implement their management plans effectively.
PDA’s Task
Participatory Development Associates (PDA) was commissioned to design and conduct a baseline study that will help to track the progress and impact of the BRACE project. This involves establishing benchmarks against which the project’s effectiveness can be measured. The PDA REL team utilized a cross-sectional mixed methods approach to gather and analyze data across the project’s four key work packages. By establishing data-driven benchmarks from the findings of the baseline study, PDA will ultimately help to measure the effectiveness of the project in achieving its objectives.
How We Went About It
- Questionnaire development and Scripting of survey tool: We developed a tailored questionnaire to capture the specific needs and concerns of the communities involved in the BRACE project. This survey tool was designed to ensure comprehensive data collection on the current state of environmental rights and the impact of extractive activities.
- Enumerator recruitment and Training: Drawing on PDA’s extensive group of experienced associates, we recruited local enumerators who understood the community dynamics and could effectively engage with residents in the appropriate local languages. Comprehensive training equipped them with the skills and equipment needed to administer the survey and gather accurate, reliable data.
- Field Data Collection: Enumerators conducted fieldwork to collect data directly from community members. This hands-on approach facilitated meaningful interactions and ensured that diverse voices were heard in the data-gathering process. In total, we spoke to 352 sample respondents across the various target regions.
- Analysis and Reporting: After data collection, we analyzed the findings to identify trends and key insights. A detailed report is being produced for the partners, highlighting the results and providing actionable recommendations to inform the project’s initiatives, advocacy efforts and measurable indices for the future.
Impact
The BRACE project targets a range of stakeholders, including 50 community-based organizations, 30 women’s groups, 10 civil society organizations, and various traditional authorities, impacting approximately 200 rural communities threatened by mining activities. The insights gained from the baseline study will provide critical information to empower community stakeholders and enhance their advocacy efforts regarding environmental rights.
PDA is working with A Rocha Ghana and its partners, working alongside community-based organizations, women’s groups, and other stakeholders to empower these groups to advocate effectively for their environmental rights, leading to improved resource management and enhanced community resilience.