Better evidence Better policies Better development results The

“Better evidence, Better policies, Better development results“ The role of national, regional and international evaluation organizations in strengthening country-led M&E systems Oumoul Khayri Ba Tall IOCE President Afr. EA board member 1

Outline of the Paper • 1. Evaluation networks worldwide: an overview • 2. Different functions of Evaluation: a reminder • 3. Evaluation Capacity and Capacity Building • 4. Evaluation Culture • 5. Strategies to strengthen CLE M&E Systems 2

The Spirit of the Article • In Essence, when the RIGHT Actors are adequately involved and the environment is enabling, the Virtuous circle of informed decision and proper action should lead to continuously improved development Results 3

The EPD ladder Development Results Policy Evidence 4

The assumption or pre-requisite Context matters everywhere and ME systems as a public policy tool/strategy should in fact remain « CL » everywhere The concept CLE is called on to reverse the process back in order, in countries where they have been set upside down adn therefore, could not produce expected achievements (pertinent, coherent and sustainable effects on people’s lives) 5

Evaluation networks • Read previous issues of the UNICEF series, on 14 Case Studies organised by IOCE • Visit www. IOCE. net 6

Different Functions of Evaluation • Evaluation is about « extracting the true value of an action » • In order to determine the benefits made to the lives of those affected by the action • Several realities; Why or What For? What? How? Who? • Types: managerial function, accountabiliy tool Vs Governance and Democracy (Policy Dialogue) 7

Evaluation Capacity and Capacity Building • Different levels / content of capacity • Defined by UN as the « the ability to define and realize goals, where defining goals entails identifying and understanding problems, analyzing the situation, and formulating possible strategies and actions for response • Also the « ability to perform and implement • +++ extending towards soft dimensions: ability to cope, communicate, socialize…in such a way that you can convince key persons on your project? ? ? 8

Evaluation Culture • … « Evaluation sensitivity? Readiness? » • Features of an organisation that is believed to have an Evaluation Culture – Refers to a known, shared policy about evaluation within the organisation: all members accept the use of evaluation, understand why the org. uses evaluation, can design and get advice on design of evaluations, use evaluation, particularly to support change and development 9

Strategies to Strengthen CLE • 1. Build Awareness and Evaluation Culture • 2. Encourage domestic Demand • 3. Extend the scope of Evaluation beyond AID • 4. Improve the Supply side 10

Key role of Evaluation networks • To organize and help improve evaluation theory, practice and utility while serving as a dialogue space for evaluation stakeholders and the larger community ‘Craig’ • What value evaluation brings into countries transcends national boundaries « Elliot Stern» • Respond and manage the current « Evaluation. Mania » : inclusive dialogue, information sharing, at local, national and international levels…and accross theme issues 11