Principal Researcher & Security Analyst: Conflict, Peace and Security
Legislative Centre for Security Analysis (LeCeSA), National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
Posted on 03/11/2025
In the first instance, the evaluation must be right - Thus, the evaluation being reported on must speak about the right activity or project. Again, the data collected must be wholly about the activity or project as commissioned.
Further, communication must not be one-channelled - It has to use different platforms: Physical print, electronic media, including social media. this underscores the need to pass the message through different avenues in order to make it effective.
It is important to note that if the capacity of the personnel used in the evaluation exercise is weak, then the report would be as weak, so the communication would likely go wrong. Further, it would be wrong to also use the wrong person during communication. The communicator of the evaluation report must be well informed about the project and its outcome as reported. Thus, there may be need to co-opt experts in the project to carry out specific assignments.
As much as possible, co-opting the locals through CSOs/CBOs may hasten the communication effect as the various local information and communication channels would facilitate communication. this may also be a cost-effective way of communication to explore.
In addition, the use of local and simple languages may facilitate impact on the project beneficiary communities as comprehension would not be an issue.
Every project evaluation communication should be made with best practices, and must have local relevance.
RE: Beyond the final report: What does it take to communicate evaluation well?
Nigeria
Egwuatu U. ONYEJELEM
Principal Researcher & Security Analyst: Conflict, Peace and Security
Legislative Centre for Security Analysis (LeCeSA), National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
Posted on 03/11/2025
In the first instance, the evaluation must be right - Thus, the evaluation being reported on must speak about the right activity or project. Again, the data collected must be wholly about the activity or project as commissioned.
Further, communication must not be one-channelled - It has to use different platforms: Physical print, electronic media, including social media. this underscores the need to pass the message through different avenues in order to make it effective.
It is important to note that if the capacity of the personnel used in the evaluation exercise is weak, then the report would be as weak, so the communication would likely go wrong. Further, it would be wrong to also use the wrong person during communication. The communicator of the evaluation report must be well informed about the project and its outcome as reported. Thus, there may be need to co-opt experts in the project to carry out specific assignments.
As much as possible, co-opting the locals through CSOs/CBOs may hasten the communication effect as the various local information and communication channels would facilitate communication. this may also be a cost-effective way of communication to explore.
In addition, the use of local and simple languages may facilitate impact on the project beneficiary communities as comprehension would not be an issue.
Every project evaluation communication should be made with best practices, and must have local relevance.