The challenge
Following the transition of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to solely a policing mission, the Government of the Solomon Islands partnered with UNDP and UN Women to continue to improve national capacity to maintain peace through a UN Peacebuilding Programme. A key part of this process was promoting a socially inclusive approach to peacebuilding, integrating the perspectives, experiences and stories of vulnerable and marginalised groups.
In July 2017, Sustineo implemented the National Perceptions Survey on Peacebuilding Solomon Islands. The survey provided a fresh insight into Solomon Islanders’ perceptions of peacebuilding immediately after the withdrawal of RAMSI, and in the wake of efforts through the UN Peacebuilding Programme. It obtained evidence regarding perceptions of peacebuilding in Solomon Islands and established a credible baseline of information on community perceptions and attitudes across the key areas of peacebuilding, reconciliation, and engagement of women and youth.
Our approach
Sustineo employed a consultative approach to project design and implementation. The survey was refined and reshaped in close consultation with UNDP as well as Sustineo’s expert advisory team and Solomon Islands research team. This approach ensured the highest relevance of the research activity to the UNDP programme of work while ensuring the research was robust, contextually and culturally appropriate, and able to establish a sound baseline for monitoring and evaluation.
The survey was implemented in Solomon Islands Pijin by Sustineo’s team of local interviewers using tablet-based technology. The main data collection activity was conducted in July and August 2017 and surveyed 2,503 people. Interviews were conducted in 24 enumeration areas with respondents from provincial centres and surrounding areas across seven provinces and Honiara. An additional 282 people were surveyed in October 2017 at three additional sites of interest in North Malaita and the settlements surrounding Honiara. The use of experienced staff, targeted research training, tablet technology, supervision and other quality and assurance checks in the field and during data cleaning ensured the integrity and quality of the final dataset.
Outcome
Sustineo’s approach to project design, implementation and analysis ensured reports for the UNDP were of high quality and utility. The reporting was separated into technical and summary outputs. This communicated the integrity and depth of project findings (Technical Report) and clearly communicated the higher-level policy and programme-oriented findings and recommendations (Summary Report). Sustineo’s use of effective data visualisation techniques resulted in easily accessible outputs for non-technical audiences. The Summary Report was launched in Honiara by Hon. Manasseh D. Sogavare, then Deputy Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, and Osnat Lubrani, UN Resident Representative, in May 2018. The research findings were integrated into the design of the next phase of the Peacebuilding Programme, including measures to assess impact over time.
