Community Based Monitoring Initiatives Of Water And Environment Evaluation Of Establishment Dynamics And Results

Community-Based Monitoring Initiatives of Water and Environment: Evaluation of Establishment Dynamics and Results

Citizen participation in water and environmental management via community-based monitoring (CBM) has been praised for the potential to facilitate better informed, more inclusive, transparent, and representative decision making. However, methodological and empirical research trying to conceptualize and evaluate the dynamics at play that might enable or hinder these initiatives from delivering on their potential is limited. This research contributed to the conceptualization of CBMs through development of a conceptual framework that is suitable for Context analysis, Process evaluation and Impact assessment of CBMs – the CPI Framework. This conceptualization provides an interpretation of what 'community' means in the context of a CBM initiative. In addition, this research contributed to the existing empirical knowledge about the establishment, functioning and outcomes of CBMs by testing the CPI Framework for studying two real life CBMs throughout the lifetime of an EU-funded project - the Ground Truth 2.0. The first CBM is called Grip op Water Altena that focuses on the issue of pluvial floods in 'Land van Heusden en Altena' of the Netherlands. The second CBM is Maasai Mara Citizen Observatory and aims at contributing to a better balance between biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood management in the Mara ecosystem in Kenya.

Ten Steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System

An effective state is essential to achieving socio-economic and sustainable development. With the advent of globalization, there are growing pressures on governments and organizations around the world to be more responsive to the demands of internal and external stakeholders for good governance, accountability and transparency, greater development effectiveness, and delivery of tangible results. Governments, parliaments, citizens, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, international organizations and donors are among the stakeholders interested in better performance. As demands for greater accountability and real results have increased, there is an attendant need for enhanced results-based monitoring and evaluation of policies, programs, and projects. This Handbook provides a comprehensive ten-step model that will help guide development practitioners through the process of designing and building a results-based monitoring and evaluation system. These steps begin with a OC Readiness AssessmentOCO and take the practitioner through the design, management, and importantly, the sustainability of such systems. The Handbook describes each step in detail, the tasks needed to complete each one, and the tools available to help along the way."

Hydrodynamics and Water Environment Characteristics in Coastal Areas under the Influences of Climate Change and Human Activities