| Session Title: Participatory Evaluation and Effective Evaluation Project Management: Incorporating the Participatory Approach throughout the Evaluation Lifecycle |
| Demonstration Session 358 to be held in Suwannee 18 on Thursday, Nov 12, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Collaborative, Participatory & Empowerment Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Kathy Brennan, Innovation Network Inc, kbrennan@innonet.org |
| Myia Welsh, Innovation Network Inc, mwelsh@innonet.org |
| Deloris Vaughn, Innovation Network Inc, dvaughn@innonet.org |
| Abstract: Evaluation suffers from many stigmas including that it is something done by an external group to a program, initiative, or organization. In contrast, the participatory approach encourages people involved in programs to own the evaluation process, and reflect on their work making it something that is not done to them but with them. In this demonstration, evaluators from Innovation Network, a firm that practices participatory evaluation, will define what is meant by participatory evaluation, contrast it with empowerment and collaborative evaluations, and give examples from the field that illustrate how participatory evaluation may be used throughout the evaluation lifecycle. The session will highlight success stories as well as places where using the participatory process, if not carefully managed, can go astray. The session will also draw on the experience of participants in conducting participatory evaluations and the strengths and the pitfalls. |