Can We Demonstrate the Difference that Norwegian Aid Makes?

Itad, in association with CMI, were contracted in 2012 to conduct a ‘root and branch’ evaluation of the Norwegian Aid Administrations approach to results measurement.  This came off the back of the Evaluation Department’s finding that none of the evaluations and studies that they commissioned in 2011 could demonstrate the difference that Norwegian Aid was making to the lives of poor people and other target groups.  The evaluation explored how results are currently being measured, what was working well and where there was room for improvement. Drawing on a wide range of source, including: surveys, key informant interviews, reviews of policies and procedures and a comparison with three peer agencies, the evaluation concluded that there was a need for fundamental reform of the Norwegian approach to results measurement. Among the recommendations made were: better training and to support staff, a reformed approach to quality assurance, better leadership from senior management and incentives for staff to work with partners in measuring and demonstrating results.