Short Abstract

This research piece reviewed the impacts of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office programming in Somalia. Evidence was provided to inform adaptive programming in a complex context and under policy shifts of reduced Oversees Development Assistance.

Description

The Equalities research piece provides lessons on Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) mainstreaming, to inform an adaptive approach to programming within the context of reduced Oversees Development Assistance (ODA) in Somalia. Findings and recommendations from this provides lessons on the use of evaluative review to adapt programmes based on evidence of what works, in the face of barriers and uncertain political context and policy environments.

This research was delivered under the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Somalia Monitoring Programme III (SMP III). SMP III builds FCDO understanding of development needs in Somalia by providing actionable learning to improve the design and delivery of programmes. UK ODA allocations to Somalia have fluctuated substantially in recent years; these shifts affect spending and programmatic activities targeted towards women and other marginalised groups. In 2026, the UK will continue to reduce the aid budget to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027/28 (having been reduce from 0.7% to 0.5% from 2021). The Equalities research addresses urgent questions about who is reached by programmes and how Equality outcomes can be sustained as budgets reduce.

The Equalities piece was completed over four months. The objectives of the research were 1) to understand the extent to which Equality was a consideration in the design of programmes and the extent of reporting against Equity. 2) To understand how the application of the GESI Strategy advanced/maintained Equality expectations, and what lessons can be embedded into future programming, and 3) to understand the potential impact of reduced funding to FCDO programming in Somalia on Equality.

The team analysed the Equality considerations in design documents and their contextual grounding, the extent that Programme Results Frameworks and log frames included and measured Equality indicators, assessed data disaggregation against the nine protected characteristics, and the extent that programme Value for Money frameworks captured Equality data. The team conducted KIIs with key programme staff from the FCDO. The team sought to identify Equality gains achieved and how these can be sustained after programme closure, and crucially how Equality is viewed in the Somali context. The outcomes of this research 1) built the FCDO understanding of the current achievements of GESI mainstreaming, and 2) developed recommendations in collaboration with the FCDO for future programme design and adaptation in the face of reduced ODA funding.

The Equalities research offers a case study of how the SMPIII team used evaluative review to generate evidence-based, actionable insights for adapting programmes. It also provides lessons on how Equalities can continue to be monitored in the face of increasingly challenging contexts, and barriers to GESI programming.