Transformative perspective

Back to the principles’ overview

Transformative perspective: Co-evaluation aims for actionable results. It moves away from the traditional concept of evaluation as a neutral observation towards a collaborative effort of documenting and interpreting project achievements for social change. It puts a specific focus on the collective identification of lessons learned and potential transformational opportunities or new practices both for participants (personal transformation) and society at large (social transformation).

Recommendations:

• Move away from traditional evaluation practices that assess project activities along predefined criteria in a top-down and pre-structured way and think about co-elevation as a critical site for social transformation. This may include the application of alternative methods of co-creation, experiential learning and critical reflection.
• Apply participatory methods both to assess and support the project. Co-evaluation should bring evidence to support actionable solutions for social concerns and lead to individual and community empowerment.
• It is important to trigger the process of translating results into practice as early as possible. Consider engaging the expertise of actors from Civil Society Organisations and establish connections early in the project. For a potential uptake of project results at socio-political level, it is likewise important to engage any decision makers and policy makers early on in the process.

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