Participatory Monitoring Presentation by Paulette Bynoe, PhD CBD/IADB Civil Society Organizational Dialogue BUDDYS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL PROVIDENCE, EAST BANK DEMARARA GUYANA NOVEMBER 18-20, 2008 1
Outline of Presentation Understanding Key Concepts Importance of Participatory Monitoring The Process of Participatory Monitoring Benefits of Participatory Monitoring Conditions for Participatory Monitoring Checklist for Participatory Monitoring The Challenges of Participatory Monitoring 2
Understanding Key Concepts Participatory monitoring is a process of collecting, processing and sharing data to assist project participants in decision making and learning. The purpose is to provide all concerned with information as to whether group objectives are being achieved. Implementing agencies and donors also require data on progress toward overall project objectives. (SD Department of the United Nations, FAO) 3
Participation Understanding Key Concepts This requires shared involvement and responsibility. Local stakeholders are active participants not just sources of information. There is no single source of ultimate control or authority. The participating parties must discuss and reach a decision by means of an agreed process - for example, by mediation and consensus-building. 4
Participation Non state partners: Civil Society Organisations (CBO etc.) Social Partners, including trade unions Independent Political Parties Youth Organisations Academic Institutions 5
Importance of Participatory Monitoring Provision of accountability of project and programme expenditure to funding agencies Review of implementation of projects /programmes Provision of public accountability of local and national government programmes to communities Understanding and negotiating stakeholder perspectives Provision of information to be used at different levels 6
The Process of Participatory Monitoring Step 1- Plan for PM Step 2- Clarify objectives and PM stakeholders based on log frame (issues: PM stakeholder; interests in PM; specific information needs. Step 3- Determine information needs and develop key PM questions. Step 4- Develop/refine indicators to ensure relevance, timeliness and accuracy o information for management decision-making. 7
The Process of Participatory Monitoring Step 5- Determine data sources and design data collection tools Step 6- Plan to analyse data and use data for decisionmaking Step 7- Implement and refine the PM system Step 8- Conduct annual self assessments and periodic external evaluations 8
The Process of Participatory Monitoring 9
The Process of Participatory Monitoring Identify: who is going to collect and register which piece of information who is going to collate information who is going to analyse information who is going to disseminate the final findings, how are they going to do it and with whom will they share it where it is going to be carried out (which community/field, what is the sample size) with which methods when will all this happen (how often and which month/week/day). 10
Benefits of Participatory Monitoring Provision of an ongoing picture so that problems are identified and adjustments are made early. Creation of ownership over evaluation results by project participants and implementing groups. Increase of consensus on project goals, objectives and activities. Enhancement of skills and confidence of local groups in project management, local empowerment and general capacity building. Facilitation of transparency in defining project progress and impact. Provision of timely, reliable, and valid information for management decision making. Enhancement of learning by local stakeholders Increases efficiency and effectiveness Sustainability of project?? 11
Conditions for Participatory Monitoring Shared understanding among project partners of project objectives and approach. An attitude of partnership characterised by mutual respect between project staff and community. Commitment to use a participatory approach in all phases of M & E. Participatory project management and decision-making to help ensure that the input from all participants into the M & E process will be taken seriously. 12
Checklist for Participatory Monitoring Participation (stakeholder analysis, designation of responsibilities and degree of participation in the monitoring process). Decision-making (why the evaluation is conducted, objectives and indicators, end user of results etc). Design (the detailed scope and focus, evaluation methods and tools to be used, measurements and indicators to be used, methods for recording, disseminating, etc). 13
Checklist for Participatory Monitoring Action (what qualitative and quantitative data will be collected, how the data will be gathered (questioning, observing, reading, how it will be analysed and interpreted etc.). The format of the final report and/or presentation. Using Results (how to agree on recommendations, making change to recommendations, how the evaluation will be reviewed, how to follow-up). 14
Challenges of Participatory Monitoring The enabling environment to promote civic engagement (policy, legislation, practice) A balance between state influences and local/community ownership. Poorly defined (or not adequately assigned) roles and responsibilities Getting the indicators right (CHANGE AND PROCESS) Institutional arrangements to provide stakeholder input into decision-making process Engaging stakeholders (method transcends information giving and consultation) Local capacity in PM 15
THANK YOU No shift in the way we think or act can be more critical than this: we must put people at the centre of everything we do. Kofi Annan, Millennium Report 16