How to Preform Evaluations: Particapatroy Evaluations

Participatory Evaluation is Part 3 of a ten-part series called; How to Perform Evaluations? by the Canadian International Development Agency.

A quick read of this Guide will acquaint you with the value of participatory evaluations and what can be achieved though meaningful stakeholder involvement. A focus is brought to what the Agency has learned about implementing participatory activities, and what practices have proven to work well. Over the past ten years, the value of engaging key stakeholders has become critically linked to the achievement of downstream performance results. Experience has shown that if stakeholders have participated in the development of results, they are more likely to contribute to their implementation. However, it should be recognized that additional effort (and costs) are typically associated with expanded stakeholder involvement.

There is no definitive approach to participatory evaluations. Rather, each evaluation requires a unique response that addresses CIDA/stakeholder expectations, local context, the capacities/availability of key stakeholders, and limiting constraints (e.g. financial). This Guide explores a balanced approach for greater stakeholder involvement in CIDA evaluations. It sets out a pragmatic approach for producing quality results, while respecting governing limitations.