Could travel restrictions change the monitoring and evaluation sector? | Experts’ Opinions

ByCatalina Russu

Could travel restrictions change the monitoring and evaluation sector? | Experts’ Opinions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism are among the most affected sectors with airplanes on the ground, hotels closed and travel restrictions put in place in almost every country around the world. However, travel restrictions have created both challenges and opportunities for the international development community. Could the current circumstances impact the future of monitoring and evaluation? Check some insights below.

David Egea, Technician of projects for development in International Cooperation

“In terms of the monitoring and evaluation of development projects, I am convinced that travel restrictions will lead to a change in standards in the quality of information obtained. There is a general trend at all levels to reduce field work involving long journeys and manage it online through different platforms. Since it is true that for many activities this is not going to be a major problem, and it is obvious that there are considerable cost savings, in cooperation with developing countries, I consider, in my experience, that this is not going to work in the same way, since objective, physical and field verification of projects and programmes is the most effective way to ensure the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of all of them. Otherwise we run too many risks since, unfortunately, the NGOs, or many of them, with a paternalistic approach to management have not been able to train and rely on local staff and counterparts who can carry out such work with sufficient guarantees and in an objective manner.”

 

Laia Ruiz Mingote, communication, media, advocacy, gender and global health consultant

“Although I’d like to give a straightforward answer, I can only say “it depends”. There has always been M&E projects implemented with limited travelling: our allies are the internet, a good phone connection and the correct database. This is particularly true for projects based on international collaborations and strategic planning. Still, we all knew we could always catch a plane and travel when and if necessary. Some of these trips could, in fact, still be substituted by conversations and even online visits. However, we’d leave behind all the organizations, advocates, users and activists with limited access to the internet if M&E projects do not consider the new issues (which would mean that we’d feel like professionals in this area). Still, for me it’s a great opportunity to promote local talent, reduce our carbon footprint and still ensure an outstanding M&E report.”

 

 

Jéremie Mugaruka, international development worker

“Travel restrictions and field mission to data collection have been big constraints on monitoring and evaluation activities during this pandemic. Furthermore, the need for accountability and learning remain relevant and the role of evidence in policy and programming becomes imperative during this crisis. No one predicted that a global pandemic would take place in the middle of a program cycle and turn everything upside down nor foresee the impact it has had on mobility and programmatic work worldwide. In my opinion, this situation will definitely allow a revolution in data collection and analysis, thanks to technological innovations from sensors to drones and data collection and communication platforms. Also, it will increase in general, remote management, including remote monitoring and some aspects of third-party monitoring, especially targeting locally based firms, as a response to the security, travel restrictions and logistical challenges in the direct implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities.”

 

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