What is participatory evaluation? ___Participatory evaluation is an evaluation that involves all the stakeholders in a project - those directly affected by it or by carrying it out - in every phase of evaluating it, and in applying the results of that evaluation to the improvement of the work. Why would (and why wouldn't) you use participatory evaluation? Advantages: ___It gives you a better perspective on both the initial needs of the project's beneficiaries, and on its ultimate effects. ___It can get you information you wouldn't get otherwise. ___It tells you what worked and what didn't from the perspective of those most directly involved - beneficiaries and staff. ___It can tell you why something does or doesn't work. ___It results in a more effective project. ___It empowers stakeholders. ___It can provide a voice for those who are often not heard. ___It teaches skills that can be used in employment and other areas of life. ___It bolsters self-confidence and self-esteem in those who may have little of either. ___It demonstrates to people ways in which they can take more control of their lives. ___It encourages stakeholder ownership of the project. ___It can spark creativity in everyone involved. ___It encourages working collaboratively. ___It fits into a larger participatory effort. Disadvantages: ___It takes more time than conventional process. ___It takes the establishment of trust among all participants in the process. ___You have to make sure that everyone's involved, not just "leaders" of various groups. ___You have to train people to understand evaluation and how the participatory process works, as well as teaching them basic research skills. ___You have to get buy-in and commitment from participants. ___People's lives - illness, child care and relationship problems, getting the crops in, etc. - may cause delays or get in the way oftheevaluation ___You may have to be creative about how you get, record, and report information. ___Funders and policy makers may not understand or believe in participatory evaluation. When would you use participatory evaluation? ___When you're already committed to a participatory process for your project. ___When you have the time, or when results are more important than time. ___When you can convince funders that it's a good idea. ___When there may be issues in the community or population that outside evaluators (or program providers, for that matter) aren't likely to be aware of. ___When you need information that it will be difficult for anyone outside the community or population to get. ___When part of the goal of the project is to empower participants and help them develop transferable skills. ___When you want to bring the community or population together. Who should be involved in participatory evaluation? All stakeholders, including: ___Participants or beneficiaries. ___Project line staff and/or volunteers. ___Administrators. ___Outside evaluators, if they're involved. ___Community officials. ___Others whose lives are affected by the project.
