How can program evaluation capacity building promote cross-sectoral collaboration?

1 What is cross-sectoral collaboration?

Cross-sectoral collaboration is the joint effort of actors from different sectors, such as government, civil society, private sector, and academia, to address complex and interrelated issues that require collective action. Cross-sectoral collaboration can enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of programs by leveraging the complementary strengths, resources, and perspectives of different partners. However, cross-sectoral collaboration also poses several challenges, such as conflicting goals, power imbalances, communication gaps, and coordination costs.

3 What are the benefits of PECB for cross-sectoral collaboration?

PECB can bring several benefits for cross-sectoral collaboration, such as increasing trust and mutual understanding among program partners through a shared language and culture of evaluation. Furthermore, it can foster innovation and creativity by inspiring program partners to experiment, test, and refine new ideas and solutions based on data and evidence. Additionally, PECB can facilitate alignment and integration of program activities and outcomes across different sectors and levels by utilizing a coherent and consistent evaluation framework. Finally, it can strengthen the capacity and sustainability of program partners by building their skills, knowledge, and resources to conduct and use evaluation for their own purposes.

4 What are the challenges and barriers of PECB for cross-sectoral collaboration?

PECB may encounter several challenges and barriers for cross-sectoral collaboration, such as resistance and reluctance from some partners to participate in evaluation activities due to lack of awareness, interest, or incentives. Additionally, conflicting interests or values among partners could influence the evaluation design, implementation, or use. Furthermore, limited access to data, information, or technology could impede the quality, timeliness, or comprehensiveness of the evaluation. Lastly, ethical or cultural issues may arise from the evaluation process or findings when dealing with sensitive topics or populations.

5 How to overcome the challenges and barriers of PECB for cross-sectoral collaboration?

Program managers and evaluators can use several strategies to overcome the challenges and barriers of PECB for cross-sectoral collaboration. This includes involving and engaging program partners in the evaluation process from the start, communicating and negotiating the evaluation purpose, scope, and expectations, providing training or support to enhance partner skills, using participatory and inclusive evaluation methods, and sharing the evaluation findings in accessible ways. All of these strategies can help ensure that program partners have input, feedback, ownership of the evaluation, and that their voices are respected and valued.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?