NRN Self-Assessment Profiles
France
With rural networking in France being organised at national and regional level, the French National Rural Network (FR NRN) has suggested an approach to evaluation, which is meant to facilitate the integration of regional-level network assessments into evaluation findings of national scale. The FR NRN therefore has published an evaluation reference manual suggested for use by its twenty-six regional rural networks (please see "Existing Tools Used by NRNs for Self-Assessment").
The reference manual is based on the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) needs expressed by sixty national and regional level stakeholders during spring 2011 and includes existing practices that have been identified. Prior to its publication in November 2011, it was tested in June/September 2011 among fifteen rural actors to confirm that needs and expectations were fully met.
Assessment of NRN Performance
The document establishes five principal network functions (NF) and two transversal themes (TT), which are linked to evaluation questions (EQ), judgement criteria (JC) and related indicators. Regional networks are encouraged to base their self-assessment on those NF/TT that are relevant to their actual networking activities:
- NF1: Overcoming isolation and mobilisation of rural stakeholders;
- NF2: Sharing and generating knowledge;
- NF3: Capitalisation and dissemination of knowledge to / development of rural actors;
- NF4: Contribution to the emergence of integrated projects;
- NF5: Contribution to the design of rural development strategies;
- TT6: Effectiveness & efficiency of the rural network;
- TT7: Monitoring of the network structure and of its dedicated resources.
Altogether eight EQ were attached to the above NFs & TTs. These aim to establish the extent to which networking activities have contributed to the accomplishment of the principal functions and the general objectives of the French NRN. For each EQ the reference manual suggests up to four JC to clarify the type of information sought, focusing either on actions realised, results obtained, or an effect achieved (medium/long-term).
EQ/JC by NF [PDF
]
Related indicators support the collection of quantitative or qualitative information. Four indicator types have been introduced:
- Six context indicators put the network's action into perspective;
- Nine realisation indicators monitor the actions carried out by the network (=output);
- Fourteen indicators monitor the results achieved by the network through the actions undertaken;
- Four indicators measure the medium-/long-term effects and impacts of network actions.
Download Indicators by NF [PDF
]
Stakeholder Surveys
The reference manual includes a self-assessment tool-kit to support the collection of indicator data needed to respond to particular JC/EQ. Among its eight evaluation tools are a number of surveys, which aim to retrieve essential information including key data on stakeholders, and suggestions and perceptions directly related to the French NRN's services:
- "Rural network member identity sheet": serves to get to know better the stakeholders participating in the rural network. It may also be used to establish or enhance a network member database.
- "Event feedback form": gathers participants 'assessment of events organised by the rural network in line with a number of strategic judgment criteria related to the rural networks' objectives.
- "Evaluation questionnaire on the rural network": aims to establish the added value of its services among network participants.
- "Feedback form for participants on the working group": aims to assess satisfaction levels of its members.
Evaluation
An external evaluation of the French NRN (at national level) was foreseen to take place during the 2nd semester of 2012. The approach to external evaluation was still under consideration when the French NRN Self-assessment profile was developed. Among the options considered to improve evaluation results were:
- Surveying an increased network population, including all rural stakeholders potentially affected by the network (e.g. EAFRD beneficiaries, elected representatives of local communities);
- Holding annual interviews with regional rural networks to identify key issues (e.g. strengths/ weaknesses, progress, examples of practices);
- Assisting the preparation and animation of the meeting held to present and validate the annual evaluation report of the French Rural Network.
