Case studies that provide compelling conclusions about the differences between rights-based and more traditional projects, and their relative impacts. The failure to respect, protect, or fulfil human rights is a fundamental and leading obstacle to economic development and social justice. Practically speaking, however, we are still struggling to understand what this major organisational shift means. The term rights-based approaches; (RBAs) has become so familiar that we tend to assume that it is well- understood and that it is a foregone conclusion that rights-based approaches offer more potential for sustainable impact. This report presents the findings of a collaborative Learning Project between CARE USA and Oxfam America, who compared RBA projects with non-RBA projects and identified best practices; and lessons that could be used to improve the application of rights-based approaches in programming. In doing this they confirmed that rights-based approaches strengthen development work. For field-based staff, partners, and other development practitioners working on the design and implementation of rights-based projects.

FOREWORD
ACRONYMS & TERMS
BACKGROUND
Rights-based Approaches
The RBA Learning Project
THE CASE STUDIES
ELEMENTS OF RBA PROJECTS
Thorough Analysis of Underlying Causes of Poverty, including Explicit and Ongoing Analyses of Power, Gender and Risk
Community-centered Development, including Building Sustainable Capacity to Claim Rights and to Drive Decision-making
Duty-bearers Engaged, Strengthened and Held Accountable
Advocacy for Sustainable Change in Policy and Practice
Alliance-building
Working at Multiple Levels
Focus on Groups that are Marginalized and Discriminated Against
Problems Framed as Rights Issues and Linked to International or National Standards
Conclusion
IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL AND RBA PROJECTS
CATEGORIES OF RBA-ASSOCIATED IMPACTS
Effect Changes in Policy and Practice
Have Impacts at Multiple Levels
Affirm the Dignity of All Human Beings
Change Power Dynamics
Strengthen Civil Society to Claim Rights and to Hold Duty-bearers Accountable
Strengthen Peace and Personal Security
Open the Political Culture
Engender Greater Responsiveness, Responsibility and Accountability on the Part of Duty-bearers
Effect Fundamental and Sustainable Change
Conclusion
CHALLENGES AND NEXT STEPS IN THE JOINT LEARNING AGENDA
Adoption, Application and Learning
Monitoring and Evaluation
Conclusion
APPENDICES
A CASE STUDIES
A1 Ethiopia Make Trade Fair Coffee Campaign
A2 Guatemala Overcoming Racism and Discrimination through Active Participation by the Mayan People
A3 Bangladesh Locally Intensified Farming Enterprises and New Options for Pest Management
A4 Ethiopia Civil Society Capacity Strengthening
A5 Bangladesh Local Initiatives in Farmer Training
A6 Guatemala Economic, Political and Social Empowerment for Small Producers in Guatemala’s Central Highlands
A7 Ethiopia Rift Valley Irrigation
A8 Ethiopia Infrastructure Improvement/Urban Food-for-Work
B FACILITATOR’S GUIDE

Jude Rand
Jude Rand Consultant, International Relief and Development, and Owner/Manager Villa Cappella Guesthouse, Acquapendente Italy