Stretching between learning and accountability: Experiences of South African non-governmental organisations
African Evaluation Journal
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Stretching between learning and accountability: Experiences of South African non-governmental organisations | |
| Creator | Kachur, Dzvinka Soal, Sue Van Blerk, Rubert | |
| Description | This article contributes to knowledge around organisational learning in relation to Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) processes of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).While learning and accountability are two fundamental purposes of ME, in practice NGOs often perceive donor accountability as the only function of their organisation’s ME system. Learning through meaningful monitoring of actions is a necessary process to satisfy effective functioning of organisations working on social change.The article is based on action research, which included qualitative methods such as case studies, focus group interview(s), semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with participating organisations from an 18-month Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Development Programme of the Community Development Resource Association, which involved nine South African NGOs. Organisations benefited from the programme through peer learning, consulting and research linked to the programme.The research revealed that NGOs have a perception of ME as an accountability procedure that has been imposed on them by donor communities and are resistant to it as well as to rigid data collection.Organisations require specific capacities to realise their power and to be able to negotiate more developmental approaches to ME within their organisations and with donors. The model is suggested that fosters learning in ME systems and includes two interlinked processes: self-awareness (a sense of core organisational values and intuitive ability) and awareness about the outside world and the effects of organisations’ work.The model for ME systems can be explored further and help those organisations who are working towards better balance between learning and accountability. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2016-06-10 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/aej.v4i1.71 | |
| Source | African Evaluation Journal; Vol 4, No 1 (2016); 11 pages 2306-5133 2310-4988 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/71/259
https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/71/260
https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/71/261
https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/71/256
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