Protocol for a mixed-methods effectiveness evaluation of the community-led child protection approach (Seeds) in La Guajira, Colombia

Background: Globally, an estimated one billion children experience violence every year. The prevalence of violence is anticipated to be higher in low-and middle-income countries and particularly in humanitarian contexts. Colombia faces a protracted humanitarian crisis. It is affected by long-lasting internal conflict, high levels of community violence, the climate crisis, and migration due to the political crisis in Venezuela.
Objective: The aim of this mixed-methods study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-led child protection approach (Seeds) in La Guajira, Colombia.
Participants and setting: The study will be conducted in eight communities, randomly allocated to the intervention and control arms. Data will be collected from children and adults involved in Seeds activities, children targeted by community action, and natural helpers. The study will be conducted in La Guajira, a department in northern Colombia, with close proximity to the Venezuelan border and a history of armed conflict.
Methods: The study will follow a convergent parallel mixed-methods design in which quantitative and qualitative data are collected in parallel, analyzed separately, and then merged for interpretation. The quantitative arm of the study will follow a matched-control quasi-experimental design using a waitlist control. Qualitative data will be collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation.
Conclusion: The results of the study will help address the lack of rigorous evidence on approaches to prevent violence against children, broaden understanding of changes driven by community-led child protection approaches, and offer an example of how to overcome challenges in evaluating community-led and prevention approaches.