Multi-Akteurs-Partnerschaften Success Factor 5 Monitoring, evaluation and learning

Continuous monitoring of both results and processes within the partnership is essential in order to ensure progress, facilitate learning processes and thus guarantee the success of the partnership. Good results monitoring enables the MAP to rapidly identify new circumstances and challenges and adapt its strategy and approach accordingly. It shows how the work of the partnership makes an effective contribution to achieving defined milestones and in so doing ensures the partnership remains on track. At the same time, it is important to check whether the partnership itself functions correctly and observes established cooperation, communication and steering processes. Monitoring requirements vary according to the type of partnership.

Just as with continuous monitoring, evaluation is necessary to check that the partnership is oriented to results, and to facilitate learning. Reporting on results is important for internal stakeholders, external donors and the wider public. Open and transparent handling of outcomes is central to the partnership’s legitimacy. At the same time, it is useful to tailor available information to the relevant target group. Whereas external donors prefer a formal report, for the general public it may be appropriate to provide an account with a more personal touch. Finally, evaluation and reporting ensure that the outcomes of a partnership are visible and therefore generate backing and support.

Even more important than keeping track of progress and results through monitoring and evaluation is making this knowledge available and using it to inform learning processes. In addition, learning must be institutionalised as part of the monitoring process. The objective should be to convert both successes and failures into opportunities through participatory learning processes. In the context of changing conditions and challenges it is also essential to continuously identify capacities that are lacking – both at individual and organisational level – and to address these through capacity development measures. This increases the partnership’s effectiveness and reduces problems that may arise as a result of unequal distribution of resources.