Real-World Challenges of M&E

Objectives

• Outline the “real-world” challenges of conducting program monitoring and evaluation.

• Identify practical and feasible solutions to overcome these challenges.

• Highlight resources for ACSM or M&E technical assistance.

Challenge: Donor requirements

• Demand detailed monitoring data beyond what are routinely available without providing a budget to collect it.

• Request impact evaluation for ACSM activities without providing sufficient budget for a rigorous study.

Challenge: No baseline data

• Infer baseline status from a secondary source.

• Identify a control group and compare differences between cases and controls.

Challenge: Not enough money

• Simplify the design.

• Use existing data (program reviews, etc.).

• Use a historical comparison group rather than collecting new data.

• Reduce sample size; accept greater degree of uncertainty in findings.

• Reduce costs of data collection and analysis.

• Limit analysis to simple quantitative measures.

Challenge: Not enough time

• Consider rapid data collection methods (focus group discussions, etc.).

• Hire more staff on a temporary basis.

• Use existing data sources, such as routine reports.

• Reduce sample size; accept a greater degree of uncertainty in findings.

Challenge: Not enough political will for comprehensive evaluation

• Engage stakeholders in the process to reduce resistance.

• Secure access to data as part of the planning process, before starting the evaluation.

• Establish a dissemination plan in advance to address concerns about transparency in sharing information.

TB Technical Assistance Mechanism (TBTEAM)

• Global coalition of countries, partners, and funders.

• Coordinates technical assistance to countries with Global Fund grants (requests from NTP, Country Coordinating Mechanisms, WHO).— Matches consultant with need; can apply for TBTEAM

to cover costs of visit.— List of available experts.

http://www.stoptb.org/countries/tbteam/

TB Reach

• Main objective is to increase early case detection and ensure complete treatment.

• Focus on reaching people who have limited or no access to TB services and/or who are coming from poor areas.

• Grants up to US$1 million for one year.

http://www.stoptb.org/global/awards/tbreach/about.asp

Stop TB Partnership’s “Challenge Facility for Civil Society”

• Mission: Provide support to community-based organizations engaged in advocacy and social mobilization.

• From US$5,000 to US$20,000.

• For organizations wanting to influence policy at local levels by giving a voice to people affected by TB and those involved in its diagnosis, treatment, and care.

http://www.stoptb.org/global/awards/cfcs/about.asp

ACSM Subgroup Technical Assistance

• Global Fund recipients with ACSM scope.

• Apply for short-term ACSM consultation.

http://www.stoptb.org/countries/acsm/application.asp