ALNAP Promotes Learning to Improve Practice

In the mid-1990s, a multi-donor study on the response to the Rwanda crisis of 1994 identified many shortcomings in the humanitarian response, including the need to carry out more and better evaluations to improve performance and accountability. This led to the creation of the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP).

ALNAP has developed several web-based training modules for evaluators and evaluation managers to improve the practice and effective use of evaluations: Introduction to Evaluation; Evaluating Humanitarian Action; and Managing and Facilitating the Evaluation of Humanitarian Action Process. Organizations can modify the materials to suit their needs and tips are provided to make the sessions more effective based on the audience and desired learning outcomes. For those wishing to run a course, ALNAP can help identify a facilitator to customize and provide the course as a stand alone or as an add-on module within an existing course. Contact the ALNAP Secretariat at alnap@odi.org.uk.

Another feature of the website is the Evaluative Reports Database (ERD), a fully searchable Internet database with 450 evaluation reports. The collection of reports in the ERD makes it possible to learn from previous evaluations. Agencies are encouraged to share their evaluations and lessons learned studies with the network so they can be included in the database. The network provides a very active and useful forum for field workers as well as for decision makers. Visit www.alnap.org

Next

Index