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This edition is about trying two share two new things: first, sharing a process that Bernard van Leer are currently engaged in, as it is happening, in the hope that this, in turn, will encourage readers to react and contribute toward the further formation of the Effectiveness Initiative (EI). Second, presents material in a special edition of ECM with the Coordinator's Notebook (CN). In recognition of the collaboration and dialogue built into the EI, decision was taken to join forces in this initial publication to reach out to both the Early Childhood Matters and Coordinators' Notebook audiences

This training document contains a series of lectures on utilization-focused evaluation. This approach assumes that the value of an evaluation rests not simply on the quality of its findings but also on an adequate utilization of the review process and its results. Good evaluations have the effect of building capacity, ensuring proper use of evaluation process and findings, and not merely producing reports. At every stage of the evaluation process, from design to data collection, analysis and report writing, the evaluators need to be aware of the intended use by intended users. This is a useful resource for those wishing to explore alternative approaches to evaluation, and willing to maximise the impact and benefits of monitoring and evaluation activities

The paper offers an introduction to analysis of the policy process. It identifies and describes theoretical approaches in political science, sociology, anthropology, international relations and management. It then reviews five cross-cutting themes: a) the dichotomy between policy-making and implementation; b) the management of change, c) the role of interest groups in the policy process; d) ownership of the policy process; and e) the narrowing of policy alternatives. The paper concludes with a 21-point check-list of 'what makes policy happen'. A glossary of key terms is also provided. The key argument of the paper is that a 'linear model' of policy-making, characterised by objective analysis of options and separation of policy from implementation, is inadequate. Instead, policy and policy implementation are best understood as a 'chaos of purposes and accidents'. A combination of concepts and tools from different disciplines can be deployed to put some order into the chaos, including policy narratives, policy communities, discourse analysis, regime theory, change management, and the role of street-level bureaucrats in implementation

Describes the roles of NGOs and international organisations in supporting the production, communication and use of information for agricultural policy formulation in Kenya. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the current process, and ends with proposals for the future, to support the links between research and analysis, and among farmers, researchers and decision makers