Evaluating peacebuilding activities in settings of conflict and fragility

This document provides guidance for evaluating peacebuilding in conflict-affected and fragile settings.

It covers understanding context, addressing evaluation challenges, preparing and conducting evaluations, and applying findings to improve program design, learning, accountability, and effectiveness.

Key content

Key takeaways from the resource include:

Introduction

This document published by OECD (2012) addresses the growing need for rigorous evaluation of peacebuilding and conflict prevention activities in fragile and conflict-affected settings. It highlights the significant human, economic, and social costs of conflict and the urgency of improving the effectiveness of aid in these contexts. The guidance aims to support policymakers, practitioners, and evaluators by providing a comprehensive framework for planning, managing, and conducting evaluations that contribute to learning, accountability, and better program outcomes.

Chapter 1: Conceptual background and the need for improved approaches in situations of conflict and fragility

• The need to better understand and adapt to conflict and fragility: Armed conflict severely impacts human life, economic development, and social stability. The document underscores the importance of understanding the complex dynamics of conflict and fragility to design effective interventions.
• Principles and objectives of peacebuilding and statebuilding support: The chapter explains key concepts such as conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and statebuilding. It highlights the need for coherent strategies that address the root causes of conflict and promote sustainable peace and development.
• Aid that does harm: This section discusses how ill-designed interventions can exacerbate tensions and stresses the importance of conflict-sensitive approaches to avoid unintentional harm.
• Improving programme design and strategic planning: The chapter advocates for better conflict analysis, explicit theories of change, and results-based management to enhance the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts.

Chapter 2: Addressing challenges of evaluation in situations of conflict and fragility

• Challenges to evaluations in situations of conflict and fragility: Evaluations in conflict settings face unique challenges such as security risks, political complexities, and data collection difficulties. The chapter identifies these challenges and emphasizes the need for adapted evaluation methods.
• Overcoming challenges to evaluation: The guidance offers strategies to address these challenges, including conflict-sensitive evaluation approaches, ethical considerations, and the importance of maintaining evaluators' safety.

Chapter 3: Preparing an evaluation in situations of conflict and fragility

• Defining the purpose: Clear objectives and purposes for evaluations are crucial. This section provides guidelines for setting realistic and measurable goals, ensuring that evaluations address the most pertinent questions and objectives relevant to the conflict context.
• Analyzing conflict: A thorough conflict analysis is essential for understanding the specific context and dynamics that evaluations must consider. This involves studying the political, economic, social, historical, and cultural factors influencing the conflict and fragility.
• Deciding the scope of the evaluation: Determining the appropriate scope involves balancing the breadth and depth of the evaluation to ensure it is manageable and relevant. This includes setting boundaries on what will be evaluated and ensuring it aligns with the evaluation’s purpose.
• Selecting evaluation criteria: Criteria such as relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability are outlined for assessing interventions. These criteria help in systematically evaluating the different aspects of the intervention.
• Outlining key evaluation questions: Formulating key questions that guide the evaluation process helps focus on critical areas of inquiry. These questions should align with the evaluation criteria and address the core objectives of the evaluation.
• Incorporating gender equality and women’s empowerment: Evaluations should integrate gender perspectives to understand the differential impacts of interventions on men and women. This ensures that gender issues are considered in the evaluation process.
• Looking at the big picture: Evaluations must consider broader contextual factors and systemic issues influencing peacebuilding efforts. This includes understanding the overarching environment in which the intervention takes place.
• Selecting the best-fit evaluation methodology: Choosing appropriate methodologies tailored to the specific conflict context is crucial for obtaining valid and reliable results. This may include mixed methods approaches, qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.
• Dealing with timing and logistics: Practical considerations such as timing, logistics, and resource allocation are essential for successful evaluations. This includes planning for the availability of key stakeholders and managing the logistical challenges of operating in conflict settings.
• Coordinating with other actors: Collaboration with various stakeholders enhances the evaluation process and ensures comprehensive data collection and analysis. This involves working with local partners, donors, and other organizations involved in the intervention.
• Working with local and country stakeholders: Engaging local stakeholders and understanding their perspectives are vital for contextualizing findings and ensuring relevance. This includes involving community members and local authorities in the evaluation process.
• Considering a joint evaluation: Joint evaluations with multiple donors or organizations can provide a more holistic understanding of interventions. This section discusses the benefits and challenges of conducting joint evaluations.
• Writing Terms of Reference: Clear and detailed terms of reference are necessary to guide the evaluation process and set expectations. This includes defining the evaluation's scope, objectives, methodology, and deliverables.
• Setting up evaluation management: Effective management structures and processes support the smooth implementation of evaluations. This includes establishing roles and responsibilities, timelines, and ensuring adequate resources for the evaluation team.

Chapter 4: Conducting an evaluation in situations of conflict and fragility

• Allowing an inception phase: An initial phase for planning and refining the evaluation approach ensures clarity and feasibility. This phase involves preliminary research, stakeholder consultations, and refining the evaluation design.
• Identifying and assessing the Theory of Change and implementation logic: Evaluators should critically examine the underlying assumptions and logic of interventions to assess their validity. This involves understanding how the intervention is supposed to work and the expected outcomes.
• Gathering data: Robust data collection methods, adapted to the conflict context, are essential for generating credible findings. This includes using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods and ensuring data reliability and validity.
• Criteria for evaluating interventions: The chapter details how to apply evaluation criteria such as relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability in conflict settings. This includes practical examples and considerations for each criterion.
• Drawing conclusions and making recommendations: Based on the data and analysis, evaluators should provide actionable recommendations to improve interventions. Conclusions should be evidence-based and directly linked to the evaluation findings.
• Reporting: Clear and transparent reporting of evaluation findings is crucial for accountability and learning. Reports should be accessible to all stakeholders and present findings in a concise and understandable manner.
• Management response and follow-up action: The chapter emphasizes the importance of responding to evaluation findings and implementing follow-up actions. This ensures that evaluation results are used to inform decision-making and improve future interventions.
• Disseminating findings: Effective dissemination strategies ensure that evaluation findings reach relevant stakeholders and inform future actions. This includes using various channels to share findings and engaging with stakeholders to discuss results.
• Feeding back into programming and engaging in learning: Integrating evaluation insights into program design and fostering a culture of continuous learning are key for enhancing peacebuilding efforts. This involves using evaluation findings to adapt and improve ongoing and future interventions.