The Strategy Implementation

How to carry out a self-evaluation?

Self-evaluation for the efficient implementation

A self-evaluation helps to implement a LEADER strategy and the projects so that their objectives can be achieved. Evaluation is also used to get more information, experience and insight to help the implementation. Therefore, evaluation is a tool that can be used to 1) direct the activities of the strategy or a project and 2) to increase their efficiency. Continuous internal monitoring and self-evaluation should always be a part of a strategy or a project as components of the learning process. Carefully planned and relevant indicators and their systemized collection are a major help for the self-evaluation process.

The following three aspects must almost always be considered in the evaluation process:

1. Objectives and the extent to which they meet the development needs
2. The quality, efficiency and control of project implementation and the way they are monitored (including indicators)
3. The outcomes of the strategy or a project and their impacts on the target group.

LAGs' self evaluation process

From the LAG perspective, a self evaluation process can progress in phases as follows:

1. The LAG identifies the need to evaluate something, makes the decision to start the evaluation process, and selects self-evaluation as the evaluation method.
2. The LAG draws up the evaluation questions and a preliminary plan to resolve them.
3. The data required for the evaluation are collected.
4. The data are analyzed and conclusions drawn by answering the evaluation questions.
5. The LAG strategy and activities are changed/ re-directed as the evaluation results require.