Evaluation of the project ‘Media in Libya: Stability through reconciliation’
The object of this evaluation was the project ‘Media in Libya: Stability through reconciliation’ (MLSR) of the DW Akademie. MLSR was a follow-up of the precursor project Media in Libya: Stability through Structure. The overall goal of MLSR was to enable a process of public discourse and eventually reconciliation across a fragmented Libyan society prerequisites for development of democratic reform and constitutional process in the country. By promoting [the] right to access to information to the people of Libya and [the] freedom of expression in Libya (DW Akademie, 2017, p. 4). The approach of MLSR is fourfold (i.e., four activity clusters): (1) supporting Libyan institutions/authorities efforts in the field of media governance, (2) developing a Libyan Media Network, (3) training local freelance journalists from all regions of Libya with a special focus on ethnic minorities and gender, and (4) providing grants for Libyan media projects.
The evaluation of MLSR had been considered as a planned impact evaluation, which needs valid qualitative/quantitative data on the situation at the beginning of MLSR (i.e., baseline). The second stage of evaluation (i.e., interim evaluation) started in January 2019. Comparing the results of baseline and interim evaluation, the evaluators had been able to identify and assess the preliminary effects of MLSR. Moreover, the evaluators may give first recommendations on how to improve MLSR (e.g., identification of [un]successful project strategies, alternative actions). The third stage of evaluation started shortly after the end of MLSR (i.e., January 2021). The main goal of the final evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of MLSR (i.e., achievements in relevant targeted areas).
Methodologically, a robust mixed-method approach was pursued against the background of the very volatile and difficult framework conditions in Libya: Secondary analysis of existing documents/data, content analysis of short written and in-depth oral interviews and statistical analysis of quantitative data from a standardized questionnaire survey.
Evaluation of the Funding Activities of the Foundation Environment and Development North Rhine-Westphalia
The Foundation Environment and Development North Rhine-Westphalia was founded 2001 and promotes mainly volunteer environmental and development work of civil society groups. The objective of the foundation is to support the environmental and development work in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in order to establish this work in the consciousness and in the practical involvement of the population permanently and at the state of the art.
For this purpose about 1,100 projects of non-profit organisations in NRW were supported with a volume of EUR 47.5 million so far. In addition, the Foundation carries out its own projects, to also promote the implementation of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in in 1994.
Within the evaluation, the results and effects of the funding activities of the Foundation were recorded and assessed. Furthermore, the evaluation was intended to find out information on potential inhibitory and / or promoting factors in the funding activities of the Foundation with respect to the foundation goals. Based on these findings recommendations on priorities of the Foundation with regard to content, actors, target groups and the methods and formats will be derived.
CEval applied a mixed method approach to collect relevant data. Therefore, relevant documents and accessible data of the foundation and of funded projects will be analysed. This will be combined with data based on qualitative guideline-based interviews with several stakeholders and standardised online surveys of current and completed projects.
Assessing Effectiveness and Impact of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard to promote open and accountable management of natural resources. It seeks to strengthen government and company systems, inform public debate, and enhance trust. In each implementing country it is supported by a coalition of governments, companies and civil society working together.
The GIZ has mandated an evaluation of the initiative based on the following objectives:
- Evaluate the outcomes, effectiveness and impact (positive and negative, intended and unintended) of EITI against the backdrop of the EITI MDTF Results Framework, and to shed light on the links between transparency, accountability and, possibly, wider development outcomes.
- Assess EITIs theory of change and the EITI MDTF Results Framework in order to develop an improved generic EITI Results Model and assist selected MSGs to develop specific national EITI Results Models and to derive impact-oriented indicators from it.
These objectives and the complexity of EITIs context required a tailor-made design. The methodology combined
- macro-quantitative statistical analyses
- in-depth case studies
- participatory approaches to operationalization, data collection and analysis of findings.
Under the coordination of LBN Strategies and in collaboration with further consultants, the Center for Evaluation took the lead in the study component Approaches and Methodology.
Case Study for Thuringia in the course of the Evaluation of the European Dynamics for DEAR Efficiency Project
CEval was mandated by Planète Publique (Paris) with the accomplishment of a case study in the course of the evaluation of the EU-project European Dynamics for DEAR Efficiency. The project aimed on supporting developmental education work in four European regions (Thuringia/ Germany, Picardie/ France, Marches/ Italy und Luxembourg/ Belgium) as well as encouraging the exchange and mutual learning of the participating actors. In Thuringia, different developmental education measures and networking activities on a regional and European level were fostered. For the creation of the case study CEval was carrying out guideline based expert interviews with different project stakeholder.
Meta-Evaluation World Vision Germany
For the second time World Vision Germany (WVG) has engaged CEval to conduct a meta-evaluation of 29 evaluation reports of its long-term Area Development Programmes. The aim of the evaluation was to analyze the reports with regard to their quality and validity. Beyond this assessment, CEval provided recommendations to enhance the design and implementation of future evaluation. Based on the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability, CEval implemented a two-tier analysis method. According to WVGs quality criteria (i.e. voice and inclusion, transparency, appropriateness of evaluation methods, methodology, triangulation, and contribution) we first assessed to which extent the evaluation reports complied with various sub-criteria within one criterion. In a second step, we consolidated findings and deviated one aggregated rating per criterion. CEval additionally examined the criteria satisfaction of information needs and organization of findings/conceptualization of change.
This year, additionally an online survey investigating the utility, usage and usefulness of evaluation findings within WV has been conducted. The semi-standardized questionnaire contained questions concerning the quality of evaluation reports against several criteria, similar to the above mentioned ones to compare the perception of quality within WV with the results from the document analysis. Furthermore, qualitative data has been collected to get insights into the usage, utility and usefulness of evaluation results.
Moreover, CEval evaluated the transparency of WVGs published impact report. It critically reviewed the report and rated it against the following criteria: comprehensibility, presentation of the relevant information for the target group, methodological approach, validity of the used data and sources, objectivity, and access.
Meta-evaluation of project evaluations 2014-2015
Misereor supports a large number of development projects that are carried out by partner organizations. The evaluation of these projects, commissioned by the partner organizations or by Misereor, makes an important contribution to information and learning. Together with Evaluation.consulting, CEval was commissioned to carry out a meta-evaluation of the evaluations from 2014-2015. The aim was to collect meaningful information on the quality of the evaluations commissioned by partners and thus bring about possible improvements in the area of quality assurance.
The meta-evaluation was essentially based on the DAC standards and principles. Methodologically, a representative number of studies were subjected to a baseline check in the first stage in order to be able to draw quality conclusions from the breadth of the studies. The criteria of completeness and appropriateness of the documentation, independence, credibility and usefulness were assessed on the basis of various sub-criteria and then aggregated.
In a second step, some of the studies that fulfill a special learning function were subjected to an intensive analysis of these and other criteria. Mainly the evaluation reports were analyzed, but also related documents such as terms of reference and general Misereor documents on the topic. In addition, individual interviews were also conducted to answer specific research questions.
Accompanying and consulting of the impact assessment/baseline update of HEKS Bangladesh country program
HEKS/EPER’s Bangladesh 2013-1016 country programme aimed to promote the social inclusion of marginalized and disenfranchised minorities in north-western Bangladesh. The various interventions primarily targeted urban and rural Dalit and lowland Adibashi communities, who suffer from complex forms of discrimination. The exclusion of both minorities is a key cause of conflict between minorities and mainstream society. HEKS wanted to promote the social inclusion of the two groups with a human rights approach and a value chain approach.
HEKS wanted to measure the impact of the last project phase and at the same time collect valid baseline data for the next program phase. The CEval supported HEKS in this. The impact of the program was to be recorded with the help of household surveys and the qualitative method of contribution analysis. CEval mainly supported HEKS in the preparation of the quantitative data collection and the quantitative data analysis. CEval prepared the sampling strategy, helped with the development of the survey instruments and with the statistical analysis of the data. In the latter, it was particularly important to combine the previously collected data with the newly collected data in such a way that valid conclusions could be drawn from the statistical analysis.
Monitoring & Evaluation of slum rehabilitation project in Brazil
Jointly with a local partner, Knorr-Bremse Global Care e.V. (KBGC) supports a training and rehabilitation project in a community in Grajaú, a slum district in Sao Paolo, Brasil. The project aims at improving the living conditions of the community by qualifying young people for self-sustained income-generation and rehabilitating the area by building wooden houses. Main activities include training of youth in civil construction and set up of sustainable housing by residents of the slum and the trained youth.
KBGC commissioned CEval to establish a Monitoring & Evaluation framework to gather feedback on the training activities and trace quality of life outcomes over time to assess whether the programs objectives are being achieved. In order to identify the outcomes of the training on the qualification of the participants and their application of knowledge gained, a time-series design was applied, implying several phases of data collection with the help of standardized survey questionnaires. Outcomes of students were traced every six months over a period of three years, with baseline, monitoring and end line reports were drafted after each data collection to support organizational learning and improvement on project design.
Evaluation of the project “Set-up of a demand-oriented and regionally harmonized quality infrastructure in the Andean Region”
CEval was mandated by Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) to evaluate the project Set-up of a demand-oriented and regionally harmonized quality infrastructure in the Andean Region.
The project involved the countries of Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru and aimed at improving the services offered by local institutions of quality infrastructure (QI). The evaluation addressed the criteria developed by DAC (relevance, effectiveness, impact, efficiency, sustainability) and the components of the management model Capacity Works (strategy, cooperation, steering structure, processes, learning and innovation). Specific evaluation questions were:
– How successful was the approach to develop regional QI-services?
– To what extent do the partners consider the approach as appropriate?
– Which success factors and lessons learnt can be identified?
– How successful was the approach to develop sector-specific supply strategies in each country?
– Which success factors and lessons learnt can be identified?
First, the evaluation consulted project documents only to assess the possibility to conduct evaluations based solely on documents. After a first assessment of the results, these were complemented by interviews with project staff of the PTB and its partner institutions. >From this, recommendations for future projects and evaluations based solely on documents were derived.
Meta-Evaluation: Project Evaluations of international development co-operation of the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (FES)
The International Development Cooperation Department (IEZ) of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) commissions around ten external evaluations per year in order to continuously improve its own work, to initiate learning processes as an organization based on experience gained and to fulfil its accountability to the donor.
As part of a meta-evaluation, the Center for Evaluation (CEval) was commissioned to analyze 18 evaluation reports that had been prepared between 2012 and 2014 during a phase in which IEZ’s quality management had undergone significant development. The aim of the meta-evaluation was to identify systematic strengths and weaknesses of current evaluation practice, to derive findings for improving the quality of future evaluations and thus to increase their usefulness for project managers and the responsible units.
While the quality of the evaluation reports was analyzed in a desk study, in-depth expert interviews and focus group discussions were also held within the FES to assess the usefulness of the evaluations.