Final Evaluation: Safe Children- Protection and care for children in the Solomon Islands (2025)

The Safe Children project was implemented between August 2021 and July 2025 across the Western, Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Choiseul Provinces of the Solomon Islands through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). In response to intersecting child protection and climate change risks to children, the project aimed to ensure children are safe, protected and resilience in their homes, schools and communities.

The final evaluation of the Safe Children Solomon Islands project was conducted to assess the achievement of the project’s intended outcomes, understand the enabling or limiting factors behind these results, and generate actionable recommendations for future programming. The evaluation was guided by the OECD/DAC evaluation and employed a mixed-methods approach.

The evaluation found that the Safe Children Solomon Islands project addressed urgent gaps in child protection, inclusive education, and disaster resilience through adaptive, community-driven approaches that aligned closely with national priorities. It improved child wellbeing and inclusion by strengthening adult-child relationships, promoting non-violent parenting, and enhancing disaster preparedness, though staff turnover and barriers to participation for some children remained challenges. Strong uptake, particularly among girls and caregivers, and promising shifts in community practices and leadership suggest potential for long-term impact, especially if strategic investments in sustainability and inclusive outreach are prioritized.