Aquaculture project in Bombita

Coffee processing, Neyba

Workshop with beneficiaries, Barahona

 Objectives: To analyze the consistency of the program design, the efficiency of the program implementation and administration, the achievement of expected results and its overall impact. 

Work done: The IDIAF’s (Dominican Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Research) institutional background was explored as well as the context of its program components: coffee, small livestock, apiculture and aquaculture. We systematized the evolution of the program since its inception in 2005 until its evaluation in 2011. Its field activities were visited, and interviews, meetings and workshops with groups of beneficiaries and key informants were carried out. 

Results: During the field work stage the preliminary results of the evaluation were discussed with the coordinators of the different program components. An evaluation report was then submitted and reviewed with the program partners.

Dates: July 2011 to January 2012

Mechanics workshop, El Progreso

Evaluation workshop, El Progreso

Mechanics classroom, Ciudad Sandino

Objectives: To analyze the relevance, coherence, effectiveness and efficiency of the technical education projects in four centres in El Progreso (Honduras) and Ciudad Sandino (Nicaragua).

Work done: All available context information, project documents and sources of verification were reviewed and studied. The laboratories and classrooms in both countries were visited. Direct observation of the teaching sessions and informal exchanges students and instructors were conducted. Semi-structured interviews with key informants were done also carried out, and polls were administered to current and former students. An evaluation workshop with all project actors was facilitated in each educational centre.

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation work were socialized with the local partners at the end of the field work. An evaluation report was written for each country, and reviewed by project partners. 

Dates: October 2011 to January 2012

Dzaleka Refugee Camp

Ouadda school

Workshop, Ouadda

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of the educational programmes in the refugee camp of Dzaleka in Malawi and with internally displaced communities in the East of the Central African Republic.

Work done: Literature review of both project documentation and context background. Revision of project management tools. Semi-structured interviews and workshops with the project actors and focal groups with samples of beneficiaries too. Visits to beneficiaries and project activities.

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation were socialized with the local partners at the end of the field work. An evaluation report was written for each project, which was reviewed by partners.

Dates: January to June 2011

Workshop with all project actors, Giteranyi, Burundi

 Objectives: To evaluate the intervention and make recommendations to assist the return of refugees to their communities of origin in Giteranyi (Muyinga, Burundi).

Work done: The evaluation team included a Burundian expert in gender. The context of the project was studied and the project management documentation and tools were reviewed. A set of visits, interviews and focal groups with project beneficiaries were done in different sites. A one-day workshop was organised with representatives of all beneficiary communities and project partners.

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation were socialized at the end of the field work. A final evaluation report was written and reviewed by the project partners.

Dates: January to April 2011

Mapping key players

Describing key players, Senegal

Map of actors, Morocco

Purpose: To assess institutional coordination mechanisms between public bodies on migration and development issues.

Work process: We teamed up with an expert in migration in the West Africa region. After a review of relevant literature, we developed a questionnaire that was addressed to all ministries with a mandate on migration issues. We carried out field visits to every country and interviewed relevant public stakeholders and some civil society actors as well as donors. This helped us identify all key players, their mandates and which coordination and policy coherence mechanisms were in place.

Results: The results of the field visits were presented to FIIAPP in a meeting and a final report was then submitted.

Date: October 2010- February 2011.

Community Development Committee, Benekal

Purpose: To analyse the program's achievements and to make recommendations for the future.

Work process: We set up a team with an Indian consultant from Andhra Pradesh and developed a participative methodological approach which would allow us to determine whether the program had attained its results. We interviewed FVF and its local partner, RDT, and visited the communities in which the project had been implemented. There we held workshops with representatives of the local communities and of women organisations. Finally we interviewed the local housing authorities.

Results: We presented our preliminary findings in a session with RDT in India and then we produced our final report.

Date: January-March 2011.

Field visit in Haiti

Meeting with beneficiaries in Haiti

Workshop in Dominican Rep.

Objectives: to evaluate the relevance of the program, the adequacy and sustainability of the implementation strategies, the results that had been achieved and the efficiency of the management models.

Work done: We formed a team with a Haitian expert. The evaluation was designed to analyze the strategies applied in the different thematical and geographical areas. Meetings were conducted in both countries with partners and with AECID officials. All project sites were visited and six workshops were held with groups of beneficiaries in the main project sites. Five formal meetings were held with other participants and finally various experts and key actors were interviewed.

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation were socialised at the end of the fieldwork, in both countries. Then an intermediate evaluation report was produced, which was reviewed by CESAL and finalised.

Date: September to December 2010

Videoclip participating in the competition

Objectives: To assess the results achieved by the program, to analyze its strengths and weaknesses and to make recommendations on its continuation and improvement.

Work done: The institutional context of Manos Unidas in Catalonia was studied as well as its development education (DE) program's place within the catalan DE context. Data for the evaluation was systematised, including hundreds of interviews to participants. The different lines of action (educational materials for schools, exhibitions, comic editing, videoclip competition, Internet game and associated workshops, campaigning activities, and media), methodologies applied and institutional capacities were assessed. The added value and opportunities of the DE program of Manos Unidas were identified.

Results: A report that systematizes the DE program was written, assessing the results achieved up to date and making recommendations for its future development.

Dates: May and June 2010

Workshop participants, Tizi-Ouzou

Purpose: To analyse the program's achievements and to make recommendations for its second term.

Work process: We proposed a participative methodological approach which would allow us to determine whether the program had attained its results. We visited three regions in Algeria: Alger, Tizi-Ouzou and Oran, where we interviewd SI's local partners (AMUSNAW, ACDC and AFEPEC), the OTC and local authorities. We also held workshops with a sample of the program's beneficiaries. Finally we interviewed local experts in civil society and other development agencies working in the country.

Results: We produced our report and presented its findings in two sessions, a preliminary one held in Algeria and another one in Spain, at SI's headquarters.

Date: April-May 2010.

Workshop on development policy

Objectives: To evaluate the projects' results, strengths and weaknesses, and to make recommendations about the future of this type of intervention within SETEM.

Work done: We studied the project and the partner's relevance -Africa Fair Trade Network (AFN)- within the current context of Fair Trade in Africa. Meetings with SETEM staff and telephone interviews with several AFN stakeholders were conducted. The evaluation was used to bring together a wide representation of SETEM staff to discuss lessons learnt through their development program. Two workshops were run, facilitated by an expert in participative techniques.

Results: Preliminary results were submitted to SETEM and AFN,  and adjusted with their recommendations. As well as the final evaluation report, a draft development policy document was written, to feed into their current strategic planning process.

Dates: May, June and December 2009

Workshop with partners, Butembo

Objectives: To evaluate the pertinence of the program, the ownership by program partners, its management and the results achieved.

Work done: it was formed a team composed by baobab, a Congolese expert and a Dutch facilitator to conduct some participative workshops. The evolution of the VSF program in Kivu was studied, analyzing how the program fits into the current context of the region, with particular attention to the elements required to build a long-term solid program in food sovereignty and human rights. Meetings and interviews were conducted with all the program partners and other stakeholders and role players in all geographical zones of work. A wide range of program activities in each of the intervention axis and geographical zones were also visited. Four days of participative workshops were conducted with an average of 30 people coming from the different role players (communities, community based groups, partners and VSF).

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation were discussed in Kirumba and Butembo with the program partners. A summary version of the evaluation report was produced for discussion and revision with the program partners. The final version of the mid-term report was presented to VSF.

Date: June to September 2009
 

Rural Haiti

Purpose: To analyse the program's achievements and to make recommendations for its second term.

Work process: We proposed a participative methodological approach which would allow us to determine whether the program had attained its results. We visited the southeast department in Haiti and the area of Pedernales in the Dominican Republic where we held workshops in every commune where the program intervenes, a total of 5. Representatives of various target groups ( SI's local partners, the program's beneficiaries and the local authorities) took place in them. We also organized various focus groups with beneficiaries and interviewed government bodies and other development agencies working in the region.

Results: We produced our report and presented its findings in two sessions, a preliminary one held in Haiti and another one in Spain, at SI's headquarters.

Date: May - August 2009.

Meeting with beneficiaries, Mocimboa da Praia

Objectives: To evaluate the results achieved till today and to make recommendations to adjust the program actions for the second half of the program.

Work done: It was formed a team including baobab and a Mozambican expert on education. It was analyzed in deep the adjustment of the program within the educational system in Mozambique, particularly in the province of Cabo Delgado, and the adjustment with the institutional priorities of Caritas. Meetings with the different program partners were conducted; other education stakeholders and role players in education in Cabo Delgado and at national level were also interviewed; and the different activities of the program all around the province were visited, running meetings with the different groups of beneficiaries.

Results: The preliminary results of the evaluation were presented in Pemba to the program partners, to Caritas in Maputo, and to Caritas in Madrid; a draft report of the evaluation was revised by the program partners and AECID in Mozambique, and the feedback was introduced in the final version of the mid-term evaluation report.

Date: March to June 2009
 

Bollol Dogo cooperative

Well at Fondé Elimane

Harmatin wind

Purpose: To analyse the project's contribution towards a sustainable livelihood for the rural communities of the Senegal river valley.

Work process: We proposed a methodological approach which would allow us to determine whether the project had attained its objective, which was to help the river valley communities achieve food security. We visited the region of Brakna and interviewed most of the beneficiary cooperatives. We also spoke to local government officials, the Ministry of Agriculture, local experts and various development agencies, so as to analyze their strategies of work and capture their opinion on the project.

Results: We produced our report and presented its findings in two sessions, a preliminary one held in Mauritania and another one in Spain, at Mon 3's headquarters.

Date: January - February 2009.

Meeting with beneficiaries, Ziginchor

Purpose: Monitoring and assessment of the program of Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz (ACPP), and ex-ante evaluation of two programs submitted to a tender of “La Caixa” in 2008-09. 

Work process: In the case of the running program of ACPP, we visited the actors and activities in the region of Ziginchor, and assessed the expected results of the program. For the new programs, we visited the applying organisations, their partners and beneficiary groups in Saint Louis, Louga and Dakar, and we evaluated the quality of their proposals and how they matched the requirements of “La Caixa”.

Results: An evaluation report was prepared for each program, assessing the capacities of the applying organisations and their partners, and evaluating the following criteria: relevance, design coherence, efficacy, efficiency, impact and sustainability. For the running program, we did recommendations to improve some aspects of planning, implementation and systematization of lessons learned. For the new programs, we did recommendations to the approval process of “La Caixa”.

Date: November 2008 to January 2009
 

Detail of La Ceiba's community
house mural.

Purpose: To analyse the program's achievements after a decade of work.

Work process: We developed a methodology to analyze the effectiveness and pertinence of the program's policies and strategies. The work was carried out by analyzing documentation, making a trip to Cuba to interview Oxfam's partners, groups of beneficiaries, local experts, the Oxfam International affiliates who participate in the Cuba program, and delegates of other international NGOs and foreign aid officials.

Results: We submitted a report in which we studied the program's achievements and each partner's contribution towards them. We analyzed the following evaluation criteria: effectiveness, impact, relevance and sustainability, and we paid special attention to the progress made in gender mainstreaming. We made recommendations on the program's design and strategies, its implementation and Oxfam's partner strengthening capacity.

Date: October to December 2008.

Mural at La Habana

Purpose: To analyze the OI joint programs' achievements from 2005 to 2008.

Work process: We developed a methodology to study the performance of Oxfam's new management and leadership model, implemented since 2005. We also analyzed the effectiveness of Oxfam's Cuba strategic plan and its relevance with regard to the local and regional context.

Results: We produced a report in which we assessed the results achieved by Oxfam's joint program since 2005, both in terms of management model, program execution, and strategic vision. We made recommendations regarding the program's design, it's management structure and the focus of its strategic plan.

Date: October to December 2008.

Discussion group with beneficiaries.

Purpose: This evaluations' objective was to analyse the results achieved by the Catalan Development Agency (ACCD) in El Salvador from 2002 to 2006.

Work process: Three areas of work were analyzed: water and environment, livelihoods, and empowerment of women, for a total of 11 projects implemented by NGO's with the ACCD's financial support. The evaluation also examined whether the Agency's work took into account the four cross-cutting principles identified in its 2003-2006 Strategic Plan: democratic governance and strengthening of the social fabric; a culture of peace and human rights; equality between women and men and a sustainable environment.
This work was carried out by reviewing documentation and through a field visit to El Salvador in which individual and group interviews were carried out with experts, partners and beneficiaries.

Results: The evaluation report which was produced analyzed the results attained by each individual project and sectorally, with regard to the following evaluation criteria: effectiveness, efficiency, impact, pertinence and sustainability. Project, sectoral and general recommendations were made. These referred to the institutional and methodological aspects of the work evaluated as well as to the logic of each intervention. Finally observations were made on the added value of each participating NGO.

Date: October 2007 to February 2008.