The earliest programme to be launched by BAIF for ensuring gainful self-employment to the rural poor was the livestock development programme. Subsequently, BAIF adopted a cluster-based multi-disciplinary programme, which covered natural resource management, water resource development, tree-based farming, tribal development, community health and a clean environment. These programmes are implemented by BAIF's Associate Organisations and funded by the Government of India, State Governments or international donor agencies under bi-lateral aid. For smooth implementation of these programmes, regular monitoring and evaluation has been ensured at various levels of implementation of the projects.
Initially, the success of the progammes was due to assured quality of work brought about by process monitoring and research backup. Taking into consideration the geographical diversity of the project locations, multi-disciplinary programme components and goals, a Central Monitoring and Evaluation Cell was set up in July 1997. The objectives of this division were to assess the relevance of the programmes, effectiveness of implementation, ensure efficiency of resource utilisation and sustainability of projects in the context of the mission of the organisation. The functions included capacity building and training of staff on various aspects of monitoring and evaluation, strengthening on-going projects by developing suitable monitoring and evaluation plans, developing t ailor-made quantitative and qualitative methods for monitoring the progress and impact. The quantitative methods were mainly used to track the progress vis-à-vis economic upliftment. The qualitative methods were used to measure progress on softer issues such as empowerment of women, community health, local leadership and improvement in the quality of life. Documentation of project learnings was also a critical aspect, which helped to analyse the successes and failures of the projects. To ensure smooth coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Cells were set up in every state, which were responsible for constant review of the progress of various programmes. With the launch of challenging projects spread over several states, internal and external monitoring missions were set up which conducted periodic monitoring and evaluation studies which helped in steering the projects towards sustainability goals.
Implementation of multi-disciplinary development projects like “Transfer of Technologies for Sustainable Development and Swayamsiddha – Women's Health and Empowerment enriched the monitoring and evaluation skills of BAIF staff. Central management teams with the support of the state monitoring teams monitored these challenging projects.
Today, adopting a decentralised mechanism has strengthened the monitoring and evaluation cell. The core programmes, which include Livestock Development, Quality of. Independent monitoring and evaluation teams comprising of subject matter specialists within the organisation monitor life and Social Sciences. The major responsibility of these teams are to evaluate the on-going research and development programmes, provide essential feedback and evolve policy guidelines for forthcoming projects with the use of models such as User Focused Evaluation.
The monitoring and evaluation tools adopted by BAIF have been recognised by donor agencies, policy makers and development organisations and have strengthened the image of BAIF as a unique organisation committed to sustainable development of the rural poor. |
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