There is a general consensus on the need to move M&E beyond the project level to the sector and strategic level in fragile states. It is important to assess the overall impact of interventions on stabilising fragile states and promoting sustainable peace. Joint evaluations and agreed upon objectives, among government departments (in the case of ‘whole-of-government’ approaches) and with other governments and relevant actors are useful in providing this comprehensive picture.
The recommended toolkits for M&E in fragile states differ little from those used in other contexts. However, additional factors that must be taken into consideration include rapidly changing contexts; difficulties in obtaining reliable data; and capacity limitations. In order to address these challenges, it is recommended that M&E practices should:
- be flexible and iterative;
- utilise quantitative and qualitative data, without imposing strict requirements on purity of data;
- allow for a phased process that increases in complexity as capacity increases; and
- involve stakeholders in a participatory manner, which can itself promote stability and conflict prevention.
