“M&E Baseline Youth Assessment.” International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) – The Partnership with Youth (PwY) Program. 2014.
AWRAD worked with PwY staff to develop three assessment indicators to establish the baseline for the program which targets youth between the ages of 14-29 to assess levels of 21st century competencies, levels of participation and engagement, and gender sensitivity. AWRAD conducted a rapid assessment, a comprehensive and detailed literature review, and developed appropriate typology and definitions of these indicators and their unique circumstances within the Palestinian context. Additionally, AWRAD developed a framework to measure "21st century competencies" among youth in Palestine. AWRAD conducted a baseline, face-to-face survey of 2,900 Palestinian youth to measure these indicators. The results of both the quantitative and qualitative data collection were presented to leading IREX partners to ensure maximum comprehension and partner buy-in. A series of recommendations and concerns to be addressed were prepared in a final report.
“University Student Council Elections: Survey among Students.” International Republican Institute (IRI). 2014.
On the eve of Student Council elections at various Palestinian universities, AWRAD conducted a specialized opinion poll, focusing on: university student priorities, issues, election participation, Student Council performance and government performance. The poll was conducted in the aftermath of the recent reconciliation agreement, and two days before the conducting of the highly political and competitive student elections. This recent public opinion poll represents an additional endeavor to demonstrate the effectiveness of survey research in the political process. The questionnaire was fielded in April 2014 in three universities: Arab American University- Jenin (AAUJ), Birzeit University- Ramallah & Al Bireh (BZU), and Hebron University (HU). These selected universities recently conducted elections for their student councils. The elections were highly contested and all relevant political groups including Fatah, Hamas, and other independent and leftist groups participated in the process. A representative sample of 1,395 students was interviewed in the West Bank, 476 in AAUJ, 460 in BZU, and 459 in HU. The results were later weighted to reflect the size of the student population of each campus.
“Youth: Agents of Social Change.” AWRAD Community Development Fund, International Republican Institute (IRI). 2013-2014.
This was a broad project aiming to empower youth across Palestine and connect them with their local communities. Youth from all 16 governorates in the West Bank and Gaza were recruited to participate in training programs offering instruction in survey research and polling techniques, as well as participate in activities to brainstorm for engagement initiatives. At the conclusion of the training, the youth served as field researchers in two public opinion polls in the West Bank and Gaza. They also helped organize a variety of activities for members of their community to brighten their lives and strengthen the social fabric. These activities included organizing Iftar dinners, visiting children in hospitals, organizing activities for the elderly and bringing dates and other sweets to Palestinians stuck at checkpoints.
“Monitoring and Evaluation of CPP’s Impact on Civil Society and Local Governments, Civic Participation Program (CPP).” Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 2011- 2014.
AWRAD implemented a series of evaluations to gauge the $20 million USAID-funded CPP’s on-going and cumulative impact on all beneficiaries. Over a three years period, AWRAD produced regular performance and impact data for learning, decision-making and reporting purposes. The assignment included the conducting of baseline and end-line surveys, thematic studies and periodic reporting. The thematic studies focused on gender and civic participation, youth and civic participation and promoting partnership and networking. Stakeholders included NGOs, CBOs, PA ministries and local government entities. A mixed method approach was adopted throughout.
“Poll of Male and Female Youth.” Institute for Women’s Studies, Birzeit University. 2012-2013.
AWRAD conducted a specialized, national public opinion poll targeting Palestinian youth (males and females between 18 and 35 years of age). The survey was designed to explore the current status of lifestyles, access to culture, mobility, use of the Internet/media, gender issues and civil and political issues. AWRAD targeted roughly 4,000 youth across the West Bank and Gaza.
“Beneficiary Impact Assessment (BIA): Village and Neighborhood Development Project (VNDP)” World Bank, Ministry of Local Government. 2012-2013.
The BIA provided an independent evaluation of the involvement of marginalized groups in the development process in the targeted communities and the equitable distribution of the VNDP benefits, with particular focus on issues of impact of implemented activities on all project stakeholders including Joints Service Councils, District offices, and project support group members, social exclusion based on gender, vulnerability and social power. The assessment included surveys with direct stakeholders and community members in addition to in-depth interviews and focus groups. At the conclusion of the evaluation, AWRAD authored a report, complete with a series of recommendations for programming in the final phase of implementation, which could assist in meeting program goals and benchmarks.
“A National Study on School Teaching Practices in Palestinian Schools (Baseline and End Line).” AMIDEAST. 2012.
This project was a multi-year national study of contemporary school teaching practices in Model School Network (MSN) schools to assist in with the goal of developing short and long-term strategies for their improvement. Teacher, educational administrators, parents and student attitudes were gathered on a variety of educational issues including: teaching practices, teachers’ qualifications and skills, quality of overall education, facilities, employment practices, development and specialized training. The initial baseline was established in January 2010, and was followed by a post-study in the spring of 2012. The study targeted 40 new public MSN schools, as well as a comparative control group comprised of 10 schools. The initial baseline yielded 6,400 interviews with stakeholders. Findings included an analysis of the link between the socioeconomic background of respondents, the effectiveness of youth enrichment activities, and interaction between parents, teachers and schools. AWRAD’s final report provided a series of recommendations which emphasized the achievements of the MSN program, as well as providing recommendations on necessary systemic changes related to internal school dynamics, such as teacher and principal qualifications, and the role of the Ministry of Education and community resources.
“SAWT Roundtables and Advocacy Activities.” International Republican Institute (IRI). 2011-2013.
The SAWT program is dedicated to commissioning research and conducting public opinion polling and policy research to support democratic and developmental discourse among Palestinians. SAWT is an Arabic word (noun) that has two powerful and relevant meanings: “Voice” and “Vote.” In pursuit of these goals, AWRAD conducts public opinion polling and policy research to support democratic and developmental discourse among Palestinians. SAWT' the program' will be the voice of the Palestinian public in policy-making forums through conducting scientific national and district public opinion polling; organizing focus groups on issues of relevance to Palestinians; publish brief issue analysis papers and policy reports on pressing issues; organize roundtable meetings with decision makers; utilize the media to raise public awareness about needs of Palestinians. The two major topics SAWT has addressed are honor killings and political freedoms. Through conducting several public opinion polls, convening of roundtables and discussion groups and a concerted advocacy campaign utilizing the media and prominent Palestinian figures and institutions, SAWT’s efforts have contributed to the broader civil society advocacy and mobilization efforts around this issue. The clause of Palestinian law that provides exemption for murders committed in the name of honor has been abolished.
“Diagnostic Report: Youth and Local Government, Reality and Prospects.” Global Communities. 2011.
This study investigated and explored the reality and prospects of youth participation and volunteerism within local governance in an attempt to inform decision-making circles including Local Government Units (LGU), the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), civil society and political parties. The study analyzed existing data, collected new data through a number of surveys with youth, local government officials and leaders of youth organizations. The study promoted national dialogue on youth rights and led to the design and implementation of new programs to encourage youth participation. The work culminated in a national one-day forum to discuss the results, advocate on behalf of youth, and bridge the distance between youth and LGUs.
“Needs Assessment of the Psychosocial Needs in Private Schools in Gaza.” AMIDEAST. 2010.
The overall goal of the assessment was directed at serving the needs of AMIDEAST and USAID in the implementation of their project with private schools in Gaza. It helped AMIDEAST to determine how to focus their psychosocial services and interventions in the private schools through identifying students’ psychosocial problems and supports needed, identifying the training and capacity building needs and priorities of schools’ administrators, counsellors and teachers regarding psychosocial problems, and drawing recommendations and specific suggestions for the design of an adequate and detailed psychosocial support program prior to interventions. These goals were accomplished through the conducting of specialized surveys and focus groups with students, parents, school administrators and counsellors. In total, AWRAD conducted 13 focus groups and roughly 1,100 interviews.
“Study on the Use of Internet by Palestinian Youth in the West Bank and Gaza.” AWRAD. 2010.
AWRAD conducted a national public opinion poll measuring use of the Internet and modern online technology among youth. The survey measured consumption patterns, use of social networking site, followership of various news sites and devices used to access the Internet, among other topics. This was accomplished through quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups. A total of 1,200 youth were targeted for the survey drawn from a random sample of households and also Internet café patrons. Furthermore, eight focus groups were conducted with youth in the West Bank and Gaza. At the close of the project, AWRAD authored an illustrative report detailing the major results.
“A Study of Juvenile Justice in the occupied Palestinian territories.” EU. 2009-2010.
This project was an endeavor to assist the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) in developing a comprehensive strategy to improve the juvenile justice system in Palestine. It aimed to enhance the rule of law and adherence to national and international standards of fair trial and treatment of children by providing a baseline assessment of the structures and needs of relevant authorities. This was accomplished through a series of in-depth interviews and focus groups targeting the leading voices and authorities in juvenile justice. The process was also informed by a broad literature review and field visits to rehabilitation institutions. At the close of the project, a report was authored and a dissemination workshop was organized to present findings and to provide recommendations.
“Evaluation of the American Scholarship Fund.” AMIDEAST. 2007.
This project was an assessment of the AMIDEAST - USAID project (American Scholarship Fund Project – ASFP). The evaluation touched on the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the project, with a specific focus on its efficiency - procedures, staffing, indicators, criteria and transparency. AWRAD utilized a multi-approach data collection and analysis methods, with a focus on existing databases and qualitative in depth interviews and case studies. AWRAD interviewed families, school directors and other staff in the various WBG regions. The analyses included a database file of 10,000 cases collected by AMIDEAST.
“Compass: AWRAD’s Eye on Palestine; Data Trends.” AWRAD. 2015-On-going.
Compass is an initiative recently launched by AWRAD to provide tracking and analysis of survey data, trends and current events in Palestine and abroad. Compass is an effort to combine the data collected from AWRAD Polls with the analysis, perspective and academic background of AWRAD’s office experts and analysts. In effect, Compass focuses on the stories in the data that are not revealed on the surface, focusing on the deeper meaning of certain results, the circumstances that may have induced them and what these perceptions or responses could mean for future developments or initiatives. Examples of Compass topics include the peace process, empowerment of women and youth, prospects for Palestinian development and foreign relations.