Whereas program-evaluation expertise may have been out of reach for some non-profit organizations, the Paloma Foundation and the Wellesley Institute are providing participatory methods for organizations to bridge this gap. “Working Together: The Paloma-Wellesley Guide to Participatory Program Evaluation” assembles recommended methods for program evaluation with an eye to engaging important stakeholders, such as program participants, in all aspects of the evaluation process.

Written with front-line staff and managers in mind, the guide provides a framework and model process for participatory evaluation. Stakeholders can take on a more active role and provide diverse perspectives that contribute to a more comprehensive result. By including diverse voices and qualitative measures, participatory program evaluation challenges conventional evaluation methods. The authors point to benefits such as the empowerment of staff and participants to initiate an evaluation, and the evaluation’s increased relevance, credibility, transparency and accountability. The goal of participatory program evaluation remains set on improving program effectiveness, but it also includes the engagement of stakeholders in a culture of collective learning.

The guide is a comprehensive, step-by-step overview for those new to participatory program evaluation. For experienced evaluators, the guide can serve as a tool for training staff and stakeholders, making a case for its adoption and facilitating inclusive discussion and planning. Chapters are organized according to the stages involved in planning participatory program evaluation. A fictional drop-in centre for homeless individuals and mental health consumers is used to illustrate possible applications for some of the stages described.

See “Working Together: The Paloma-Wellesley Guide to Participatory Program Evaluation,” March 2010, at www.wellesleyinstitute.com.  

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