The evaluation acknowledges the specific value of building specialized mediation support capacities within and outside the Swiss FDFA: the Mediation Desk (MD) has increased the visibility and stature of Swiss mediation and mediation support and has helped to better integrate the notion and practice of mediation within the FDFA. The work of the MD and its partner, the Mediation Support Project (MSP) has created a substantial reserve of mediation and mediation support expertise within the FDFA. The MD is emerging from pilot phase of intense activity, experimentation, reflection, learning and adjustment. This pilot phase has come to an end and it should be followed by a phase of more focused, strategic, systematic mediation and mediation support work. The main conclusions and recommendations are the following: Limited use of internal synergies: The evaluation team argues that the linkages between the MD and other actors of the FDFA involved in mediation processes are often unused (within DP IV and the FDFA). Lacking clarity of goals, strategy and portfolio: Over the past five years the portfolio of interventions of the MD has grown and many of the mediation and mediation support activities are not “big enough or sustained enough” to have greater impact. This is also due to a lack of clarity of goals, strategy, theories of change and indicators of success. Limited human and financial resources compared to the goals set: Compared to the ambitious goals that were set - “To substantially expand and improve the impact of direct Swiss contributions to on-going peace processes” - and the multiple roles fulfilled by the MD (thematic, expert, programmatic and internal tasks) the MD had limited human and financial resources. Relations between MD and MSP: The evaluation finds that the MSP efficiently produces quality mediation support products. The current arrangement between MD and MSP has proven to be effective and efficient and the evaluation recommends continuing the partnership. In addition, for specific tasks, other partners could be considered instead of the MSP.
The findings and recommendations of this evaluation constitute a useful base for drafting the Mediation Strategy 2012-2015.
