Ex-Post Evaluation of ABK3-LEAP Project
The ex-post evaluation study of the ABK3 LEAP project aims to identify the factors influencing the sustained effectiveness of "system-strengthening" initiatives, within the Capacity Building component of the ABK3 LEAP project. ABK3-LEAP stands for: Ang Pag-aaral ng Bata para sa Kinabukasan – Livelihood, Education, Protection, and Advocacy to Reduce Child Labor in the Sugarcane Industry. It was implemented over a five-year period, starting from September 30, 2011, and concluding on September 29, 2016. The project aimed to combat child labor in the sugarcane industry through a comprehensive approach.
Seven years after its implementation, the study focuses on understanding the sustainability of "system-strengthening" interventions done by the project in addressing Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL), particularly in the agriculture sector. Emphasizing local policy strengthening, implementation, and adherence, the research aims to extract lessons and best practices for creating enduring solutions through systemic interventions.
Utilizing the ABK3 LEAP project as a case study, the research delves into the examination of "system-strengthening" interventions. The insights derived aim to guide Project Against Child Exploitation (ACE) in enhancing sustainability planning and mechanisms. Crucially, the study lays the groundwork for developing an improved, adaptive, and enduring monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework, providing effective sustainable planning and exit strategies for similar projects.
This ex post evaluation was funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) through Project ACE as part of project activity supporting in the development of monitoring, evaluation, and learning mechanism (Activity 3.2.4).
Findings from the ex-post evaluation of the ABK3-LEAP project align directly with the second end-of-program outcome of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) Strategic Framework 2023-2028 that focuses on enhancing “system strengthening” interventions. Project ACE takes a macro-level approach, incorporating these insights to ensure that identified barriers and hindering factors are addressed. The project, in particular, aims to successfully enforce sustainable legal frameworks and policies on child labor, including online exploitation, at both national and country levels.
