Sida FLEX Impact Evaluation Report: Education in emergencies, child protection, and community children center program interventions (2022-2024)

The Sida Flexible Programmatic Funding (Sida FLEX) programme, implemented by Save the Children Afghanistan from April 2022 to March 2024, aimed to provide continuous access to safe and inclusive learning opportunities while strengthening child protection and improving children’s social, physical, and emotional well-being amid Afghanistan’s complex crisis. The evaluation found that the Education in Emergencies (EiE) interventions, particularly Community-Based Education (CBE) classes, successfully expanded access to education for approximately 10,000 children annually, with a strong emphasis on gender equality as 60% of participants were girls. The programme adapted to evolving challenges such as security risks and restrictions on women’s mobility by prioritizing primary education and integrating classroom rehabilitation and WASH facilities. Enhanced teacher training and support contributed to improved teaching quality and a positive learning environment. Child Protection (CP) activities strengthened community networks, promoted children’s participation, and established safe spaces for vulnerable children, while income-generating activities and cash assistance for caregivers helped reduce child labor and improve household stability.

The evaluation highlighted the programme’s relevance and strong community acceptance, driven by collaboration with local partners, community leaders, and civil society organizations, which fostered sustainability and local ownership. Despite achievements, challenges remain, including insufficient CBE class capacity to meet demand, barriers to girls’ education beyond primary levels due to discriminatory policies, and infrastructural limitations in formal schools. The flexible multi-year funding enabled the integration of education, child protection, WASH, and livelihoods, creating a holistic approach responsive to community needs. The programme’s handover of management to local communities and capacity-building efforts aimed to ensure long-term sustainability. Stakeholders emphasized the need for continued support and adaptive monitoring to maintain and build on the programme’s positive outcomes in Afghanistan’s volatile context.