Project Evaluation and Monitoring
‘Monitoring and evaluation systems, the development and use of reports, and criteria for success are determined not by the NGO clients, but by the donors.’ Roper & Pettit
Development and the Learning Organisation (2002)
I am conscious of the politics of evaluations and how monitoring and evaluation systems, the development and use of their reports, and their criteria for success are often not determined by NGO beneficiaries, but by their donors. There are fundamental questions to consider about who does the measuring, who benefits from monitoring and evaluation procedures, and whose learning and knowledge is being valued. Some organisations struggle with building monitoring and evaluation systems for donor accountability, as they feel that the focus on accountability takes away from their learning and developmental purposes.
Indeed, having worked both as grant-recipient and grant-giver, I keep this in mind within my work to evaluate and monitor the projects and programmes of NGOs and grant-givers. I look to give my clients as objective an opinion as I can. One that is both sensitive and honest, and that leans on a learning perspective. Certainly, putting my clients’ needs at the centre of the evaluation will help to do this. And while monitoring and evaluation is a necessary process, it can become somewhat laborious and overblown. So, I consider that a proportional approach that focusses on reviewing the key aspects of any project or programme is necessary.
Work examples:
Since 2012 Endeavour has worked in the team monitoring project implementation of EU Life NGO Operating Grants. This work includes visits to support both project implementation and organisational strengthening.
In 2021 and 2022 Endeavour performed an External Evaluation of the Operating Grant of the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP). The work involved an assessment of the task implementation and deliverables, plus an analysis of the impact of ENSP through discussion with its key stakeholders.
In 2011 Endeavour acted as a Project Organisation and Strategy Assessor of the Belarus Programme on Re-wetting of Peatlands for Climate Change and Biodiversity Protection for the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, UK.
Contact me for more information or to set up a call.
- Endeavour’s Work Practices [1]
- Organisational Assessments and Capacity Building [2]
- Institutional Support and Advice [4]
Endeavour Consulting 