Evaluation of the Strengthening Girls’ Capacities Through Sport and Play in Senegal (RECAF-Jeu) project - Executive summary

On this page

• Rationale and purpose of the evaluation
• Evaluation objectives
• Scope of the evaluation
• Development context
• Project description
• Evaluation approach and methodology
• Limitations of the evaluation
• Key findings
• Key conclusions
• Key recommendations
• Key lessons learned

Rationale and purpose of the evaluation

The project “Strengthening Girls’ Capacities Through Sport and Play (RECAF-Jeu)” is an initiative of the Canadian NGO Right To Play (RTP) aimed at supporting the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women in Ziguinchor and Sédhiou, Senegal, over a five-year period (2021–2026). In other words, the RECAF-Jeu project, with a total budget of CAD 9,078,809 (including a contribution of CAD 8,671,322 from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, aims to raise partners’ awareness of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), gender equality, and positive masculinity, and to train them in RTP’s playful approaches, tools, and methodologies.

With a view to taking stock of the implementation of this initiative, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) deemed it appropriate to commission a formative evaluation of the RECAF-Jeu project. The main purpose of this formative evaluation is to inform key stakeholders about the progress achieved toward the project’s expected results as outlined in the logic model (LM) and other programming documents such as the project implementation plan (PIP) and the performance measurement framework (PMF). In addition, the evaluation aims to inform stakeholders about the main implementation challenges and the progress toward achieving expected results. The evaluation will review the project’s strategy; risks related to its sustainability and formulate recommendations to accelerate and/or reorient project implementation.

Evaluation objectives

Specifically, the objectives of this evaluation were to:

• Assess the relevance and efficiency of the RECAF-Jeu project;
• Assess progress toward achieving the expected results, including the level of satisfaction of key stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Identify the main factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of results;
• Assess the likelihood of sustaining achieved and expected project results;
• Examine and document the impact of participation in RTP’s project on the lives of adolescent girls and young women;
• Formulate recommendations to accelerate and/or reorient project implementation;
• Identify good practices, lessons learned from successes and challenges encountered during implementation, as well as necessary adjustments to achieve expected results.

Scope of the evaluation

The scope of the evaluation covers the entire RECAF-Jeu project and its implementation modalities. It covers the period from September 2021 to September 2024. The evaluation concerns the project’s two target regions in Senegal, namely Ziguinchor and Sédhiou.

Development context

In Senegal, despite government policies supporting gender equality—particularly through the National Strategy for Gender Equity and Equality (SNEEG)—unfavorable traditional norms remain persistent. In addition to implementing the SNEEG, Senegal has been participating since 2015 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Despite these efforts to promote gender equality through the progressive and effective integration of gender issues into the country’s socio-economic development priorities and the adoption of policies aligned with the SDGs, inequalities between men and women persist. Women and girls continue to face gender inequalities and gender-based violence, such as early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and sexual, physical, and psychological violence.

Project description

The five years (2021–2026) project “Strengthening Girls’ Capacities Through Sport and Play (RECAF-Jeu)” aims to support the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women in Ziguinchor and Sédhiou, Senegal. It is implemented by Right To Play (RTP) in close collaboration with actors from the sports sector and partners working on adolescent health and well-being.

The project aims to raise partners’ awareness of FGM/C, gender equality, and positive masculinity, and to train them in RTP’s playful approaches, tools, and methodologies. After training, partners will disseminate this knowledge within targeted communities with ongoing support from RTP. The project adopts a gender-transformative approach based on rights and the power of play/sport to help vulnerable adolescent girls and women become agents of change in their own development. This holistic approach is structured around three (3) components and works directly with marginalized adolescent girls and young women (Intermediate Outcome 1100), their respective communities—including men and boys (Intermediate Outcome 1200)—and key institutions (Intermediate Outcome 1300).

Evaluation approach and methodology

The formative evaluation of the RECAF-Jeu project, conducted from June to December 2025, focused primarily on the evaluation questions contained in the evaluation matrix, covering the project from design to implementation. In order to better understand the determinants of achieved results and obtain the maximum amount of quantitative and qualitative information, mixed methods of data collection and analysis were used among the various stakeholders involved in project implementation. This made it possible to generate statistical data and to understand the “why” behind observed behavioral changes among vulnerable adolescent girls and young women, family and community members, including men and boys.

Quantitative and qualitative data collection took place from September 26 to October 12, 2025, in the nine (9) intervention municipalities in the regions of Ziguinchor and Sédhiou. Quantitative data used to estimate the values of indicators defined in the PMF were collected through electronic questionnaire-based surveys targeting:

• 545 children aged 10–14;
• 773 adolescents;
• 586 youth aged 20–25;
• 41 youth aged 26–39;
• 279 male and female coaches; and
• 358 community members.

Qualitative data were collected through 36 focus group discussions (FGDs) with beneficiaries and 77 individual interviews with implementation partners. Individual interviews were also conducted with RTP staff at headquarters and at national and local levels.

Data processing and statistical analysis were conducted using the KoboCollect software. Overall, data analysis was based on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria (relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact). In addition, to better understand the determinants of achieved results and propose possible adjustments, the coherence and strategy used for project implementation were also analyzed.

Limitations of the evaluation

The main limitation of this evaluation lies in the fact that some survey data—such as the level of mastery of acquired knowledge—are based solely on respondents’ self-reported statements rather than on objective testing. As a result, some findings may be subject to bias and may not fully reflect field realities.

Key findings

• The expected results of the RECAF-Jeu project are aligned with national and sectoral policies on women’s empowerment in Senegal.
• The project addressed the needs and priorities of 98.21% of adolescent girls and young women in the regions of Sédhiou and Ziguinchor with regard to empowerment through sport.
• Only 17 of the 30 reported results indicators have currently reached their targets, representing an overall achievement rate of 57%.
• Only two of the nine immediate outcomes and two of the three intermediate outcomes have been fully achieved.
• The human and logistical resources mobilized are insufficient to cover the entire intervention area.
• The activity implementation rate within planned timelines is very satisfactory (82% fully completed and 15% ongoing).
• The project efficiency ratio is 0.8.
• Sustainability was considered during project design.
• The absence of a sustainability mechanism—that is, a structure to continue supporting adolescent girls and financing strategies for post-project activities—constitutes an unfavorable factor for sustaining gains.
• Implementation partners—including sports leagues and clubs, community sports associations (CSA), community animation committees (CAC), departmental child protection committees (DCPC), departmental centers for popular and sports education (DCPSE), and civil society organizations (CSOs)—have the capacities and tools required to ensure activity sustainability.
• Adolescent girls and young women exhibit increased self-confidence in expressing their ideas.
• Girls and boys demonstrate greater decision-making autonomy regarding education, sports participation, and marriage.
• Community members show increased commitment to encouraging girls and adolescent girls to participate in sports.
• Men and boys show increased commitment to supporting gender equality.
• Girls have increased knowledge of their reproductive health rights, particularly regarding menstrual hygiene management.
• The RECAF-Jeu project steering committee shows signs of inactivity.
• The use of a participatory and inclusive approach enabled strong community anchoring.
• The use of playful approaches facilitated beneficiaries’ skills development by promoting active participation and improved understanding of addressed topics.
• The absence of support for girls’ access to economic opportunities (income-generating activities) could limit their level of empowerment.
• The provision of sports equipment and sanitary pads to clubs/CSAs motivated girls’ participation in sports.
• Nearly all partners (91%) are satisfied with their level of involvement in project implementation.

Key conclusions

• The RECAF-Jeu project is relevant as it addresses beneficiaries’ priority needs while aligning fully with national policies.
• The project is moderately efficient, as administrative delays and higher-than-expected operational costs limited optimization of the ratio between resources invested and results achieved.
• The project is moderately effective, given that only 57% of results indicators have been achieved and only two immediate outcomes and two intermediate outcomes have been reached.
• Consideration of sustainability during project design and partners’ mastery of playful approaches are favorable factors for sustainability.
• The absence of community and/or institutional mechanisms to sustain achievements after project completion is a major constraint to sustainability.
• The project strengthened adolescent girls’ and young women’s autonomy in exercising their rights within families and communities.
• The project contributed to promoting positive masculinity by fostering constructive dialogue on men’s roles in gender equality.
• The project increased family and community engagement—including men and boys—in supporting gender equality and girls’ and young women’s rights.
• The project improved community members’ knowledge of laws, services, and reporting mechanisms related to human and legal resources and gender-based violence.
• The project enhanced adolescents’ knowledge of gender-based violence prevention and response, and of sexual and reproductive health rights and services, including menstrual hygiene management.
• Project governance does not comply with the requirements set out in the contribution agreement.
• The tripartite approach (girls – communities – institutions) positively influenced the average empowerment score of girls.
• The provision of sports equipment and sanitary pads influenced the level of achievement of Immediate Outcome 1130.
• Beneficiaries and stakeholders are generally satisfied with the approaches used, their level of involvement, coordination mechanisms, and project results.

Key recommendations

• To improve project performance: Focus, by the end of the project, on immediate outcomes not yet achieved (1110, 1120, 1220, 1310, 1320, and 1330).
• To ensure sustainability: Plan a consolidation phase, establish sustainability mechanisms from the outset, and strengthen the organizational capacities of clubs/CSAs. Beneficiary and local government contributions are recommended to ensure infrastructure ownership.
• To improve project governance: Revitalize the steering committee and establish regional coordination committees under the authority of regional governors.
• To strengthen girls’ empowerment through sport: Enhance economic support for out-of-school girls and intensify awareness-raising on reproductive health, menstrual hygiene management, and the fight against gender-based violence.

Key lessons learned

• Promoting gender equality is more effective and sustainable when rooted in deep community engagement that involves opinion leaders and communities from the outset as agents of social norm transformation, ensuring ownership of results beyond the intervention period.
• The tripartite approach (Individuals, Families/Communities, Institutions) is a key success factor for girls’ empowerment initiatives, as it addresses personal, social, and institutional barriers simultaneously, ensuring stronger buy-in and lasting results.
• Play-based approaches facilitate active participation and understanding of complex or sensitive topics by simplifying technical concepts and creating a safe environment that encourages free expression and equitable participation.
• Valuing local expertise (technical services, Badiénou Gokh, community relays, etc.) is essential for sustaining project gains, as strengthening their capacities supports continued accompaniment of adolescents beyond project completion.
• Investing in gamified training for implementation partners is a strong performance lever, as it enhances stakeholder engagement and rapid mastery of complex tools.
• Providing hygiene kits and appropriate equipment reduces exclusion and menstruation-related absenteeism, transforming sports clubs into safe and inclusive environments that foster girls’ motivation and retention.