Well Begun is Half Done: Telling the IICD Story of Evaluation

Abstract

Contribution to a special issue on ‘Developing Evaluation Practice in the Information Sector’. Describes the approach to evaluation at the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), looking at how information services, and specifically information and communication technologies (ICTs), contribute to sustainable development and poverty alleviation. An evaluation instrument has been developed to gain insight into IICD’s country programmes. Conclusions are drawn relating to project and owner success; and project development impact. Two main approaches to gathering data on development impact have been adopted: generic questionnaires and focus group meetings. Impact is difficult to measure and causality is difficult to prove.