Longitudinal Research on Poverty Dynamics with a Focus on women Empowerment, Social Mobilization, Inclusive development and Governance for Balochistan Province for developing Local Governance Policy Framework for Balochistan

Objective:

Longitudinal Research on Poverty Dynamics with a Focus on women Empowerment, Social Mobilization, Inclusive development and Governance for Balochistan Province for developing Local Governance Policy Framework for Balochistan

About Project
The BRACE Programme, funded by the European Union, aims to reduce poverty in rural Balochistan, Pakistan, through a community-driven development (CDD) approach. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Target: Reduce poverty and empower communities in nine districts of Balochistan.

Objectives:

  1. Empower citizens: Enable communities to participate in and influence local development through socio-economic projects and improved public service delivery.
  2. Strengthen local authorities: Enhance the capacity of local governments to involve communities in planning and implementing public services.

Strategies:

  • Community mobilization: Organize citizens into Community Organizations (COs), Village Organizations (VOs), and Local Support Organizations (LSOs) to advocate for their needs.
  • Micro Investment Plans (MIPs): Households and communities develop plans for local development projects.
  • Joint District Development Committee (JDDC): Collaborative platform for communities and local authorities to plan, implement, and monitor development activities.
  • Poverty Scorecard (PSC): Tool to assess poverty levels in target districts.

Challenges:

  • High poverty rates in Balochistan, with rural areas experiencing the slowest progress in poverty reduction.
  • Multifaceted poverty caused by factors like low livelihood opportunities, poor education and health, water scarcity, and low population density.

Research Needed:

A study on poverty dynamics is required to identify:

  • The various factors pushing households into poverty.
  • The flow of poverty (people entering and exiting poverty).
  • Recommendations for improving BRACE’s implementation and influencing public policies for poverty reduction.

Project Beneficiaries:

  • Rural communities in nine districts of Balochistan.
  • Local authorities in targeted districts.

Overall, the BRACE Programme aims to break the cycle of poverty by empowering communities and fostering collaboration with local governments for sustainable development

Services Provided:

Momentum is a research and policy development firm specializing in poverty dynamics, women’s empowerment, social mobilization, inclusive development, and governance. With a focus on evidence-based research, Momentum provides comprehensive frameworks, research methods, and tools to inform policy decisions.

Key Services

  • Longitudinal Research: Conducts in-depth studies over time to track changes in poverty dynamics, women’s empowerment, and other relevant areas.
  • Framework Development: Creates comprehensive frameworks that cover various aspects of research, ensuring a holistic understanding of complex issues.
  • Research Tool Development: Develops and tests research tools, such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups, to collect reliable and valid data.
  • Training: Provides training on quantitative and qualitative research methods to equip researchers with the necessary skills.
  • Data Collection: Conducts data collection exercises using a variety of methods, including socio-economic surveys, life history interviews, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisals, and consultative meetings.
  • Report Compilation: Compiles detailed research reports that present findings, analysis, and recommendations.
  • Policy Framework Development: Develops policy frameworks based on research findings to guide policy decisions and interventions.

Steps in a Longitudinal Study

  1. Framework Development: Create a comprehensive framework outlining the research objectives, variables, and data collection methods.
  2. Research Tool Development: Develop and test research tools to ensure their suitability and reliability.
  3. Training: Conduct training sessions for research team members on data collection techniques, research methods, and ethical considerations.
  4. Data Collection: Collect data using the developed research tools, following the established methodology.
  5. Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify trends, patterns, and relationships.
  6. Report Writing: Prepare a detailed research report that presents the findings, analysis, and recommendations.
  7. Policy Framework Development: Develop a policy framework based on the research findings to guide policy decisions and interventions.

 Momentum’s expertise lies in its ability to conduct rigorous longitudinal research, develop comprehensive frameworks, and provide actionable policy recommendations. Their commitment to evidence-based research ensures that their findings are credible and relevant for policymakers.

Project Team:

Dr. Haroon
Dr. Zafar Ullah
Abida Aziz
Durray-Shehwaar
Ms. Fatima Shafqat
Ghulam Shabbir