Monitoring & evaluation
Saraco is passionate about monitoring and evaluation. It delivers evidence for successful approaches and allows rights-holders and their representatives (e.g. civil society, trade unions) to hold institutions and organisations accountable for their actions.
Developing policies, guidelines and checklists for M&E is pivotal for solid strategic frameworks guiding staff to assess the effectiveness of their work and to take lessons and improve their efforts.
Building monitoring and evaluation systems for interventions in the field, allowing for operational baselines, effective tracking of progress during implementation, mid-term reviews and final evaluations, goes hand in hand with capacity building on logical frameworks, theory of change, indicators and evaluation criteria.
Applying the Theory of Change is an indispensable tool for identifying SMART and inclusive indicators.
We focus on:
Clever M&E systems allow for inclusive tracking of progress and assessing impact on gender equality and human rights. SARACO systematically focuses on those groups living in vulnerable conditions.
Inclusive M&E systems: Saraco goes beyond the classic explanations on gender and sex-disaggregated indicators. We reach out to rights-holders and duty-bearers to find appropriate indicators for the desired change. This includes listening to those who are most at risk to be left behind.
Innovative & user-friendly tools: Ravesloot developed a unique monitoring and evaluation instrument called the “Gender Budget Scan” to be used during design, implementation and assessment across all sectors.
Joint Evauations: As a member of the Steering Committee, Ravesloot joined in 2013 the thematic and strategic evaluation on the integration of the gender dimension in Belgian Development Cooperation (see reports “A difficult path towards equality. Gender and Development in Belgian Cooperation”)
Good practices
Gender analysis of the Moroccan Governmental Equality Plan (2017)
Saraco developed the evaluation framework and methodology, including the tools for the outcome evaluation of the “Plan Gouvernemental de l’Egalité 2012 – 2016 (ICRAM I)” allowing policy and funding decisions of key stakeholders (e.g. Ministère de la Famille, de la Solidarité, de l’Egalité et du Développement Social) and the Delegation of the European Union in Morocco. Saraco conducted the evaluation of the Plan by means of participatory approaches using mixed methods (focus groups, semi-structured interviews, surveys, round tables, interactive workshops and institutional mapping).
The evaluation, based on the OECD evaluation criteria, resulted in a Policy Concept Note, with key findings and recommendations for strategic options to promote gender equality in the next Governmental Equality Plan. The new Plan was accompanied by a budget, allowing effective implementation and distribution of responsibilities and contributions.
Gender expert M&E Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands – (2020)
Saskia Ravesloot supported the Taskforce on Women's Rights and Gender Equality for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and developed a new and adapted set of indicators for women’s rights and gender equality. Saskia delivered a manual for M&E practitioners and formulated recommendations for improving the M&E system.
She adapted results framework for women’s rights and gender equality as well as the accompanying Theories of Change in the result areas of "Women and girls enjoying the right to a life free of violence"; "Women exercise political power and leadership"; "Women are empowered as economic actors"; "Women are involved in prevention and resolution of conflict and shaping of post-conflict society and protected in conflict situations".
