Long-term Evaluation of the Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention (CVP) Reconciliation Fund Activities

This report presents the findings of ERIE's multi-country retrospective evaluation, which examined the long-term effects of ten People-to-People (P2P) peacebuilding programs funded by USAID's Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention’s (CVP) Reconciliation fund Program (RfP). The evaluation spanned four countries and investigated the sustainability of the programs' interventions on participants, focusing on changes in perceptions and behaviors among conflicting groups. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to assess the lasting impact of these programs.

The evaluation identifies overarching trends across all countries and assesses the viability of a P2P reconciliation approach to foster enduring positive relationships and peace within conflict-affected regions. By analyzing the programs' theories of change, long-term effects on attitudes, friendships, collaboration, and community norms, as well as conducting comparative analyses using conjoint and vignette experiments, the study provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to the success of P2P interventions.

The findings suggest that P2P programs foster lasting friendships. However, the impact on attitudes related to trust and the potential for peace and community norms is mixed or null in some countries. The evaluation highlights the importance of ensuring equal status of participants, engaging them in cooperative activities, and creating structures to sustain interactions in the long term for successful outcomes.