Mbn hiv/aids evaluation final report Team of consultants

1. Introduction

1.1. Context and purpose of the evaluation

1.1.1. Context of the evaluation

Five CFAs (HIVOS, ICCO, Novib, Cordaid and Plan) have committed themselves to participate in the MBN HIV/AIDS evaluation. The evaluation is meant to form a conclusion on the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness (outcome and, if possible, the impact), of HIV/AIDS work by each separate CFA and all five CFAs together. At the end of the evaluation, it will have become clear whether the MBN channel has succeeded in successfully contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS. This evaluation had to be, at the first place, an accountability study.

This evaluation is important because:

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  HIV/AIDS is a growing concern and definitely has an impact on development initiatives as undertaken by the CFAs. The CFAs’ annual budget allocations to HIV/AIDS have clearly risen and are expected to increase even further. It is important to know for the CFAs whether their policies and practices have been relevant, effective and efficient.
  
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  In 2006, the CFAs have to prepare for a new funding round from DGIS, due to start by 2007. It is expected that this evaluation will give feedback on each CFA’s achievements.
  

Two consultancy firms were involved in this evaluation assignment. ETC Crystal started the first phase of this evaluation, with the intention to elaborate an evaluation framework. To that end, ETC Crystal has visited 8 counterparts (6 in South Africa, 1 in Malawi and 1 in Zimbabwe), 8 aide memoires have been written and a proposal of an evaluation framework has been drafted. In September 2005, ACE Europe took over the assignment from ETC Crystal. ACE Europe concluded the first phase by further developing an evaluation framework, including a clear, transparent and detailed evaluation design and methodology, a feasible work schedule and financial proposal (available on request). This evaluation framework was assessed on its quality by the coordination and reference group who decided mid-October 2005 on the second phase of the evaluation which started with visits to the selected countries (systematic collection of data, analysis and reporting). In the present synthetic document references are made to the work of ETC Crystal during the first phase, putting value to the work already done by integrating reports of field visits and developed insights into the final assessment.