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FutureLife-Now! evaluated | Useful findings from an external evaluation
Posted by Khanyi Khuzwayo 
on
11 December 2024, 13:30
SAST
FutureLife-Now! has contributed significantly to systems-level changes in both education and health sectors by integrating climate change and health education into curricula, enhancing collaboration between sectors, empowering youth, advocating for supportive policies, and engaging communities. – Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development (SDC) Representative [interviewed for the rapid evaluation]
As the second phase of FutureLife-Now! draws to an end, development consultants Southern Hemisphere were commissioned in August to conduct an evaluation of both phases, as well as of the programme’s role in mainstreaming the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) Framework into national systems in the targeted Member States.
Using a review of documents, virtual and email interviews, and focus group discussions with learners, the Southern Hemisphere researchers looked to i) assess FutureLife-Now!’s effectiveness in achieving its objectives and its contributions to systemic change; (ii) evaluate how it built on the CSTL Framework and supported its mainstreaming; (iii) identify observed impacts on the beneficiaries and the likely sustainability of programme outcomes.
Highlights of findings
Southern Hemisphere’s overall assessment was that the FutureLife-Now! Programme had achieved its intended objectives, with notable successes across health, education, and climate resilience initiatives. Specifically, the evaluation confirmed the increase in access to and uptake of youth-friendly HIV, sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and antiretroviral therapy adherence support, and it noted that the referral systems developed through FutureLife-Now! were particularly effective in strengthening relationships between schools and health facilities.
In addition, Southern Hemisphere found that FutureLife-Now! was effective in empowering learners to tackle key challenges—including climate change, gender inequaility and SRHR—by fostering their agency. Further, its assessment was that FutureLife-Now! effectively facilitated policy alignment and supported collaboration between relevant ministries in the targeted Member States, thereby assisting in the mainstreaming of the CSTL Policy Framework.
[FutureLife-Now!’s] strength lies in its institutionalisation within the education system. The programme is integrated within national policies for better support, ensuring its sustainability and guaranteeing that it will continue. – Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat Representative
The evaluation has been a particularly useful exercise. Southern Hemisphere’s report provides valuable recommendations for the SADC Secretariat, SADC Member States and MIET AFRICA as the implementing partner as to how to maintain and build upon the positive effects of the programme. Click here to read full report.
During the various interviews, respondents reflected on the positive impacts of the programme on learners, schools and systems. For example:
When you attend the national quiz competitions you will see from the learners that the level of information is very high … . We have actually covered a lot of ground, and we will continue to do so in Zimbabwe. FutureLife-Now! has made it possible through these engagements in our schools. – Ministry official, Zimbabwe
[The changes wrought by FutureLife-Now!] are transformative, creating a foundation for a more sustainable and health-conscious society. By addressing the interconnectedness of climate, health, and education, FutureLife-Now! is not only responding to immediate challenges but also equipping future generations with the tools needed for proactive engagement with global issues. The long-term impacts of these changes have the potential to shape resilient, informed, and empowered communities across the Southern African region. – (SDC representative)
