Rethinking Community Driven Recovery

As Acted implements “AGORA 2.0,” they were eager to assess to what extent this methodology is in line with what the literature recommends on, and how other actors are implementing, area-based, localized, triple nexus approaches in fragile and protracted crisis settings.  To this end, the Capstone team conducted a substantive literature review, drawing from a rich pool of academic and organizational sources, and conducting key informant interviews with professionals across the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors, from both headquarters and field country team levels. Participants included representatives from INGOs, local NGOs, donors, UN agencies, international financing institutions, and chairs of interagency groups. The desk review involved a meticulous examination of the methodological similarities and differences between AGORA and similar approaches, as well as more broadly the key themes, lessons learned, good practices, and challenges regarding the HDP Nexus, Localization, Area-Based territorialization approaches, financing for aid delivery, and effective program management.

 Furthermore, Acted requested a detailed case study of AGORA's implementation in Sri Lanka. The team conducted on-site visits to Colombo, Batticaloa, and Vavuniya, engaging with Acted staff, local authorities, NGOs, and communities through key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

The Capstone project concluded with a comprehensive analysis identifying key challenges and best practices related to AGORA's scope. The research provided actionable recommendations tailored to both the Sri Lankan country team and Acted's headquarters for the implementation of AGORA globally. Recommendations targeted ways to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, localization, and contextualization of AGORA.