Participatory Evaluation
Finally a Word on Conflict
Participatory evaluations often lead to the exposure of conflicting opinions and perceptions of development interventions. Stakeholders may hold vastly different view points. Furthermore, community groups are far from homogenous. The people with whom NZAID and its partners work may have differing political interests, power struggles and expectations of the Participatory Evaluation process.
NZAID is not a neutral actor in this process. The role of the facilitator (or external consultant) is to recognise the conflicting perspectives and enable voices to be heard. It is important to recognise that the involvement of the most excluded in participatory processes is not always to their best advantage. Time is costly - particularly to the poorest. If this is not an exercise in enabling the poorest to have more of a voice, then it is probably not worth doing.
Suggestions for the process....
Don't be too ambitious. Do a little well - rather than a lot badly!
Remember there will always be more than one perspective - record the differences of opinion of impacts
Assess the costs of the initiative and compare them with the benefits as described by people whose lives are affected.
Understand unintended as well as intended impact
By ready for conflict: it can lead to beneficial or negative change depending on how it is handled and by whom.
Enjoy the evaluation! These processes are meant to be a positive learning experiences rather than hoops to jump through.