How can we Strengthen National Evaluation Systems”?

[Asela Kalugampitiya]

How can we Strengthen National Evaluation Systems”? The  Fall 2013 edition of Evaluation Matters  provides some answers

‘National evaluation capacity development’ builds on the concept that results-based monitoring and evaluation is a public management tool that yields information that can be used to better manage policies, programmes and projects; demonstrate progress on national development goals to citizens and other stakeholders, such as the international donor community; and, in the process, ultimately serve as a key accountability tool. Thus, national evaluation systems need to be thought of more than simply in bureaucratic terms.

National ownership implies a specific cultural, social and political context. The driver for establishing a national evaluation (or M&E) system ought to be good governance. This could be associated with broader public sector modernization initiatives, the proactive introduction of a results-based management framework for the public sector and/or some other form of public sector reform. Establishing an M&E system could be triggered by political change; or it could be encouraged by the actions and support of international agencies and donors such as the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program or the World Bank.

If a national evaluation system is to be owned by a country, it needs to be linked to the national development plan and integrated into the operations and culture of government institutions and ministries. However, for it to be sustainable, governments must believe in the utility of the national evaluation system and understand its benefits. They must also own the system. National evaluation systems should no longer be donor- driven; they should be nationally owned.

The Fall edition of evaluation matters offers interesting perspectives from several key players from Africa and from major donor organizations on this very important topic: http://operationsevaluation.afdb.org/en/evaluations-publications/ev...

Kenya National Evaluation week and declaration of EvalYear
Kenya joining the 2015 EvalYear campaign during the National M&E Week  (participants standing when and after making the Declaration) . Some of the key highlights are as follows:
1.It is an annual  event in its 2nd year and was co-organised by the government's M&E Directorate, Ministry of Planning in collaboration with ESK and other development partners
2.It brought together between 300-350 people daily for 4 days
3.As part of the advocacy efforts around promoting the 2015 EvalYear, I made a brief presentation on the campaign in one of the sessions ,followed by the participant's Declaration of the same
4.The event was officially presided over by the Cabinet Minister in charge of Devolution and Planning. Developmement Partners representatives including the World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, AGRA, GIZ, SIDA and the universities also made presentations within the 4 days
5.The event was also attended regionally by representatives from Ethiopia (through the EvalPartners Peer to Peer initiative), Uganda, Zambia, Benin and Rwanda. They joined in the Declaration and each of the countries presented their Case Studies on M&E in panel discussions .
6.A key note address on the South African case was also presented by the Director DPME, Dr.Sean Phillips in one of the days.
7.M&E training workshops as part of capacity strengthening efforts for ESK members , government staff and other participants at national and devolved levels were conducted on day one.

Jennifer Mutua Reports from Kenya