Development Dialogue Forum (DDF) is an initiative implemented by Partners for Democratic Change Yemen (Partners Yemen or PY) funded by the US Embassy focusing its activities in the governorate of Mareb. PY organized a series of six symposia that brought together social entrepreneurial and prominent community, tribal and civic leaders from throughout Mareb governorate to exchange ideas, insights and development solutions with Yemeni government officials, donors, civil society activists and private sector actors. The first in this series of symposium took place in February 2010 with the aim to further understanding of development challenges, successes and to foster initiatives that contribute to grassroots conditions hospitable to development and investment opportunities in Mareb governorate. The DDF assessment phase was conducted during November and December 2009 comprising background research and analysis in preparation for symposia.  

Clic-Consultants conducted a mid-term evaluation to assess the impact, relevance and effectiveness of six symposiums under the DDF project, funded by the US Embassy. We provided a number of recommendations to strengthen the design, implementation and impact of the program for future symposiums that will be conducted by Partners Yemen throughout the country in order to strengthen dialogue between tribal leaders, government officials, and civil society on priority issues and joint solutions for local level development and stability. 

The project goal of DDF was “To foster dialogue opportunities that connect tribes in Mareb to key actors in the private, civil society and government sectors to further understanding of development challenges and successes in order to contribute to grassroots conditions hospitable to development and investment opportunities in Mareb governorate. The project objectives were the following: 

1. Equip Mareb tribal and civic leaders with skills to facilitate positive human development investments in their communities.  

2. Create a forum for influential leaders from Mareb to discuss critical development issues with key governorate and development actors. 

3. Foster development initiatives in Mareb between core beneficiaries and civil society, private sector and government partners.