Plan – Ansvarsfull gruvnäring

Purpose and use

This evaluation examines how Sida integrates conflict sensitivity across its strategies and operations, with the purpose of strengthening learning and improving how Sida’s work affects peace and conflict dynamics.

Conclusion

It finds that conflict sensitivity is increasingly embedded in Sida’s portfolio but applied unevenly across contexts. Stronger results emerge where analysis is continuous, partner capacity is high, and adaptation is proactive. Weak monitoring systems and inconsistent feedback loops limit learning and the ability to track outcomes or anticipate risks.

Recommendation

The evaluation recommends establishing minimum standards for conflict sensitivity across all strategies, ensuring regular context updates, strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning systems with simple indicators, and proactively addressing recurring risks such as gender backlash, unequal targeting, and challenges linked to country exits.

The Strengthened Accountability Programme (SAP) in Zambia supported small-scale mining communities by strengthening their bargaining power to negotiate higher prices for mineral resources and advocate for improved local services. It raised awareness on occupational safety and child labour, rights and gender equality while promoting conservation farming to improve livelihoods.

Main methods: Mixed-methods, quantitative analysis of collected household survey data.

Positives: The core components related to mining yielded positive effects: increased income; reduced child labour and increased use of protective gear. There were also positive effects on assets and some social services.

Potential shortcomings: The farming component was less successful with no effect on crop income due to inconsistent and low uptake of conservation farming techniques. Distribution of goats also had no effects. Fruit trees for women were successful, however. While self-reported gender attitudes improved, there was no effect on gender-based violence. SAP explicitly targeted youth and women but this has not been sufficiently monitored.