How do you adjust your program evaluation to different cultures?

Ever been in meetings where program evaluators ask about progress, making you want to say, "Do you get what we're experiencing?" This happens when programs, though scientifically designed, overlook culture. Before setting goals, consider participants' backgrounds—how culture, language, and history shape their perspectives. Cultural competence isn't a perk; it's essential. Effective evaluation isn't just numbers; it has to do with experiences. Programs must connect with unique cultures, prioritize people over targets, fostering *genuine*, positive change.

To adjust program evaluation to different cultures, it's essential to embrace cultural sensitivity in all aspects and at all levels. We try to tailor evaluation methods and questions to align with various cultural norms, variegated values, and diverse communication styles. We promote engagement with local stakeholders for insights and ensure translation accuracy. At the same time, we try to recognize diverse perspectives, and be open to varied interpretations of success. Ultimately, a culturally-responsive evaluation approach fosters meaningful engagement and produces more accurate and insightful results.

Having worked in many African countries with people from different regions coming together on a program or a project, I find it absolutely critical to recognize and respect cultural nuances and beliefs before the evaluation plan. It is also important to engage local stakeholders in designing and implementing evaluations so you can tailor for cultural, social, and economic contexts. And although literature review, focus groups, interviews, surveys, or observation, to gather information about the cultural context are a must - they should be carefully designed in local languages to get the most out of them. Last, an instant feedback loop to continuously refine the process should be established as well.

Understanding the audience is critical but more critical is to engage that audience (stakeholders) throughout the evaluation process since they are the ones who will be directly impacted.

Stakeholder engagement transforms evaluation from a mere assessment tool to a collaborative growth process. Their involvement ensures the evaluation is not only holistic but also actionable, paving the way for more informed and culturally-tuned interventions. It is essential to further promote continuous stakeholder feedback loops even post-evaluation

We can incorporate testimonials from program participants in evaluation reports and presentations. Personal stories provide context and depth, helping stakeholders connect emotionally with the cultural aspect of the program. Sharing a participant's journey, challenges, and successes can be particularly impactful.

The depth and authenticity of insights often hinge on culturally resonant methods. Tailoring data collection to cultural nuances ensures more genuine participation and richer narratives. One thing that shows the genuinely is to make them understandable and accessible in local languages and contexts. It is also very useful for the reachability to the consumer

Context-driven communication ensures the essence of findings is genuinely captured and understood. Involving stakeholders in the dissemination process can be transformative, bridging cultural gaps. To consistently integrate these cultural nuances in evaluations without compromising core objectives we should stay up to date via trainings, develop continuous feedback mechanisms, and use evaluation frameworks that are flexible and can incorporate cultural elements.

It’s essential to dedicating time to connect with the individuals you’re collaborating with and learning about their unique backgrounds. What experiences have shaped their journey? What passions drive them? How do they perceive and define themselves? This exploration provides the essential perspective required to comprehend each person and tailor your approach effectively. However, it's crucial to retain the human element in delving into people's backgrounds. We extend far beyond mere statistics and research, even if they offer valuable context. They don't encapsulate the richness of an individual's story. True understanding can only emerge through patience and the creation of a open space to engage with and learn from each person.

In one of the project we delivered in an African country, related to chip-embedded social security cards, many locals in a far town believed the chip allowed the manufacturer for tracking and invasion of privacy (due to a widespread rumor in that town). The impact was something for us to tackle, while keeping the local context in mind. We were able to address these privacy concerns with clear communication, and awareness campaigns - all while respecting local sentiments.