The project in summary

Modelization of a Toolbox of Creative Evaluation Activities for Children in Crisis Situations.

The project in detail

In 2023 RED NOSES Clowndoctors International (RNI) modelized a Toolbox of Creative Evaluation Activities for Children in Crisis Situations to capture the impact of Healthcare Clowning activities on children living in emergency contexts.

The project aimed to: 

  • create a set of creative evaluation activities, tailored to the ages of minors and youth in migratory contexts, to be implemented during Emergency Smile missions and intended for children participating in different Healthcare Clowning activities;
  • involve minors in impact evaluation activities to allow them to express their ideas, feelings and sensations experienced during the Healthcare Clowning activities;
  • allow them to “digest” the clown experience, that is, let them process their emotions and feelings, express themselves and be heard in a safe and secure place, as well as involve them in creating long-term happy memories about their lived experience with the Clowndoctors.
  • 12 experts with different academic backgrounds and experiences in humanitarian crisis/migration emergency contexts;
  • 12 children in vulnerable situations (aged 9-17).

The modelization of the Toolbox of Creative Evaluation Activities for Children in Crisis Situations, also with Alta Mane support, foresaw the following activities:  

  • creation of a Working Group of 12 experts with different academic backgrounds and experiences in humanitarian crisis/migration emergency contexts (academic researchers, Clowndoctors, Head of Mission, Project Manager, Safeguarding Officer);
  • two Workshops (March 9-10, 2023), at the International School of Humour of RNI (Vienna), during which the Working Group identified and modelized 3 creative evaluation activities to be piloted during the Emergency Smile Missions planned for 2023;
  • a Field Mission in Georgia (11-18 June 2023) to verify and test, on the field, the evaluation activities previously created as well as to seize future research opportunities on the impact of Healthcare Clowning interventions on the mental healthcare and well-being of children and adults in crisis settings;
  • a final online Working Group meeting (1st December 2023) to discuss the progress of the evaluation activities and explore how to overcome challenges to their actualization in the field.