Monitoring, Evaluation and Gender Consultant/Trainer
Posted on 27/10/2026
I have reflected on this question for a while, and I kept thinking, “In times of financial constraints, can we afford not to use evaluative evidence?”
First, we risk making expensive mistakes with scarce resources. Without evaluative evidence, organizations may not realise it’s not business as usual and may continue funding interventions that are not delivering results and ignore those that could make meaningful contributions. This could lead to institutionalising failure rather than learning from it.
Secondly, I imagine an area where women have to walk long distances to fetch water for households and animals. With no evaluation evidence, there is a possibility of building an airport in the area instead of supporting the community by installing pipes or sinking boreholes. This will only increase inequalities and leave the already marginalised populations behind. The airport may be an important investment in its own right, but is it the most pressing priority, when resources are scarce? Evaluation evidence helps us prioritise interventions and understand what works, for whom, and under what circumstances.
RE: Evaluation under pressure : Strengthening evidence use, accountability and learning amidst funding constraints (Joint EvalforEarth-ALNAP discussion)
Kenya
Eddah Kanini (Board member: IDEAS, AGDEN & MEPAK. Former Board member AfrEA 2021-2026
Monitoring, Evaluation and Gender Consultant/Trainer
Posted on 27/10/2026
I have reflected on this question for a while, and I kept thinking, “In times of financial constraints, can we afford not to use evaluative evidence?”
First, we risk making expensive mistakes with scarce resources. Without evaluative evidence, organizations may not realise it’s not business as usual and may continue funding interventions that are not delivering results and ignore those that could make meaningful contributions. This could lead to institutionalising failure rather than learning from it.
Secondly, I imagine an area where women have to walk long distances to fetch water for households and animals. With no evaluation evidence, there is a possibility of building an airport in the area instead of supporting the community by installing pipes or sinking boreholes. This will only increase inequalities and leave the already marginalised populations behind. The airport may be an important investment in its own right, but is it the most pressing priority, when resources are scarce? Evaluation evidence helps us prioritise interventions and understand what works, for whom, and under what circumstances.