Summers, Guy, 2013, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project – Final Evaluation, Evaluation Summary, ILO, Geneva, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

2.1 ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

2.1.8 Organising informal economy groups

Recommendation: 3. Be flexible in the determination of types of informal groups that will be strengthened and/or established. Recognise that there may be different needs and do not promote a single approach throughout all projects/activities. Consider that there may be groups with strong forms of full partnership among the group members or simpler options such as cooperating on a single aspect such as marketing or transportation.

References: Summers, Guy, 2013, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project – Final Evaluation, Evaluation Summary, ILO, Geneva, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Evidence sample: The evaluation noted that a spectrum of group formation should be wide to range from strong forms of full partnership among the women into lighter options such as cooperating on a single aspect such as marketing or transportation, something that the project executed in its first phase. Including groups that are formed based on family businesses, as the evaluation showed, should not be seen as a drawback but as a way to adapt to the local practices. It is recommended that for any forthcoming phases, flexibility of group formation is continued and announced from the beginning among local partners and potential women beneficiaries.

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2.1.8 Organising informal economy groups

Recommendation: 6. Consider when starting groups—including for women and other people dependent on the informal economy—that a focus on building trust between group members is important. Use team building exercise methodologies to build trust. Even in communities where people may know each other there can be a need for such team building activities

References: Summers, Guy, 2013, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project – Final Evaluation, Evaluation Summary, ILO, Geneva, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Evidence sample: The evaluation concluded that the building of trust is crucial for the success of business groups. This was brought up time and again by women especially those who were concerned about partnering with other women whom they have not worked before.

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2.2 DECENT WORK AND ENTERPRISE GROWTH

2.2.2 Formalising work in IE 

Recommendation: 6. Consider establishment of a brand with guaranteed quality and marketing of the brand to expand the potential of promoting the associated products.

References: Summers, Guy, 2013, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project – Final Evaluation, Evaluation Summary, ILO, Geneva, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Evidence sample: The evaluation identified the creation of the brand “Atayeb Falasteen” as a good practice. Such a brand, albeit only used by Souk el Tayeb during the course of the partnership with the project. The branding is an effective step in promoting the produce of local Palestinian women and at same time enhancing women’s knowledge of the importance of branding and adhering to the inherent required quality. Note: Verify details of what this entailed, not available in the evaluation summary.

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2.4 APPROACHES TO ENHANCE LIVELIHOODS, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

2.4.1 Social dialogue and IE

Recommendation: 8) Ensure that technical project and other committees are inclusive and have clear terms of reference.

Reference: Summers, Guy, 2013, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project – Final Evaluation, Evaluation Summary, ILO, Geneva, Palestinian Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Evidence sample: the evaluation noted that the mechanisms for participatory decision-making should be enhanced: make advisory and technical committees more inclusive and active with clear TORs. The technical committee needs to include representatives of local NGO partners, local trainers and at a later stage the local women beneficiaries. ILO should encourage those stakeholders to join such committee as a way of sharing the governance of the project and in ensuring that project decisions are communicated at all levels.