Are you familiar with Reference Groups? Do you use them in your evaluations? Do they participate in the Knowledge managemement and dissemination of your evaluation findings and recommendations. Do they facilitate the sharing and learning process with stakeholders?
Please give us your opinion!
Next week, the Evaluation Support Service we will publish a second article in the subject summarizing the comments and opinions gathered here and in the ESS helpdesk (helpdesk@evaluationsupport.eu), and provide you with additional examples of use, as well as “do’s and don’ts” of Reference groups.
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Now let’s review our basics…
You will find below extracts of DEVCO’s Evaluation Methodological Guides (Vol 1.), on the Reference group and its role:
- The reference group is presided over by the evaluation manager and provides assistance to the latter in monitoring and supervising the evaluation. It is composed of members of the European Commission's services and representatives from the partner countries whenever that is possible.
- The reference group is an interface between the evaluation manager and the evaluation team. It allows for the variety of viewpoints to be taken at the evaluated intervention.
Reference group members:
- Discuss and comment on the terms of reference drawn up by the evaluation manager
- Aggregate and summarise the views of the Commission services and act as an interface between the evaluation team and the services, thereby supplementing bilateral contacts
- Ensure that the evaluation team has access to and consults all information sources and documentation on activities undertaken
- Validate the evaluation questions
- Discuss and comment on notes and reports produced by the evaluation team. Comments by individual members of the reference group are compiled by the evaluation manager and subsequently transmitted to the evaluation team
- Assist in feedback of the findings, conclusions and recommendations from the evaluation.
If the evaluation is managed at headquarters, membership includes:
- Services of the Commission concerned by the intervention, including the Delegation concerned in case of a country/region level evaluation
- Specialists on a sector or a cross-cutting issue within the Commission
- Embassy of the partner country in the case of a country level evaluation.
If the evaluation is managed in the partner country, membership may extend to:
- Government services
- Selected development partners
- Selected civil society organisations
- Experts.
Experience has shown that it is preferable for the group to be limited in size (10 to 12 members) if it is to function effectively.
After identifying the services, institutions or organisations to invite to the reference group, the head of the service managing the evaluation sends them an invitation to:
- Officially announce the launching of the evaluation
- Request that they appoint one person as a member of the reference group.
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What do you think about this definition?
Is it practical?
Easy to apply?
Is it adapted to your day-to-day activities and realities?
Share your ideas!
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