2024-25
In 2024-2025, EvalIndigenous members are collaborating on a new program of work...
Seeding grants
For small projects that are responsive to the aspirations of Indigenous peoples for evaluation that is a good cultural 'fit' for them. These grants will encourage innovations in evaluative thinking that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing.
|
Germinating grants
For those who received seeding grants in 2023, so they can build on, or perhaps innovate on, their seeding project work with Indigenous peoples.
|
Growing
For in-person and virtual meetings with Indigenous peoples, to share knowledge, spark dialogue and influence evaluation policies and practices.
|
Blossoming
Collaborative development with Indigenous peoples of evaluation methodologies that reflect Indigenous decision-making processes and ways of knowing.
|
EvalIndigenous-LAC
The LAC team is: Adriana Anacona, Alcides Gussi, Breynner Oliveira, Celeste Ghiano, Martha Lanza (Lizzi Montaño - assistant), Raquel Herrera (Cristhian Gonzalez -assistant)
In September 2024 our LAC colleagues - Raquel Herrera and Celeste Ghiano updated us about the projects they have been doing, and their plans for 2024-25.
|
|
SEEDING GRANTS
The call for Seeding grant applications was made in September 2024 and expressions of interest were received (México, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela and Costa Rica).
|
|
|
GROWING: STRENGTHENING VOPEs
|
For the first part of the project, which is related to producing a State of the Art and gaining a broad perspective on how the topic of relational guides has been worked on in the region, as well as the ethical principles that should prevail in evaluation processes with an indigenous perspective, Cristhían González, a Boruca indigenous person and specialist in Indigenous Rights, was hired to lead the research process and assist in the subsequent participatory process. The research work is expected to be completed by December. The participatory consultation sessions with the VOPES are scheduled to begin in January 2025.
Cristhían González was part of the Indigenous Fellowship Programme of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and has a Diploma in Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples from Deusto University.
|
Cristhían González
|
Additionally, as part of the activities resulting from the first research phase, there are plans to extend the work to build a methodological approach to evaluation based on the activity of the Bribri People called Ak Kue "El Jale de la Piedra," (The Pull of the Stone) which is a community effort to move a large and heavy stone (or boat) across the closed mountain and through the river in response to a request of one of the community members to take the stone to her house for the daily house chores. This activity has specific stages, tools and roles for the participants, as well as a delicate perspective of the surrounding elements that could affect the movement of the stone. Making it a perfect metaphor to understand a necessity and how to address it in a communal way.
|
|
|
BLOSSOMINGMINGAS: MINGAS IN MACIZO (Cauca, Valle de las Papas), CALI, AND AMAZONIA (Leticia) - COLOMBIA
The team has been preparing an accountability sheet and gathering material (videos, photographs, interviews) to decide on the products to be delivered. The team has been writing the scripts and editing the audiovisuals centered in the Chakana`s orientation of Life and its four dimensions - Spiritual, Material, Emotions and Reason/Knowledge. |
|
EvalIndigenous-Asia Pacific
SEEDING & GERMINATING
The Seeding grants for new project work and the Germinating grants for the continuation of project work (by previous Seeding grant recipients) have been announced by APEA.
Four germinating grants were awarded to the previous seed grant winners 2023 from Community of Evaluators-Nepal, Nepal Evaluation Society, EvalYouth Pacific, and Kalahan Educational Foundation, Philippines. They will implement their project activities from August to March 2024.
|
|
Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA)
On September 1, 2024, MEA was selected for the "Indigenous Evaluation Knowledge Transfer Activities for the Asia Pacific Region" seed grant for 2024-2025 by the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association - APEA and EvalIndigenous, and the purpose of this project is to empower the Tsaatan community to actively participate in the formulation and evaluation of conservation policies in their region. This data collection allowed our team to deepen their understanding of the Tsaatan people while experiencing the stunning winter landscape of the Mongolian Taiga region.
During the visit, we held a workshop on Participatory Evaluation for Tsaatan community representatives and facilitated a focus group discussion with 16 participants. Additionally, the team conducted individual interviews with elder members in Tsagaannuur soum and families in the East Taiga Tribe. Government representatives also participated, sharing valuable insights on the project’s focus. Special thanks to our MEA member, Azjargal Amarsanaa, for enabling this field data collection and making significant contributions as a boundary spanner opening the doors to the local reindeer people. Stay tuned for the next stages of this project!
During the visit, we held a workshop on Participatory Evaluation for Tsaatan community representatives and facilitated a focus group discussion with 16 participants. Additionally, the team conducted individual interviews with elder members in Tsagaannuur soum and families in the East Taiga Tribe. Government representatives also participated, sharing valuable insights on the project’s focus. Special thanks to our MEA member, Azjargal Amarsanaa, for enabling this field data collection and making significant contributions as a boundary spanner opening the doors to the local reindeer people. Stay tuned for the next stages of this project!
Ikalahan-Kalanguya Indigenous Youth Organization for Sustainable Development, Philippines
The Ikalahan-Kalanguya Indigenous Youth Organization for Sustainable Development (IKAYO) held a Strategy Meeting on September 27-28, 2024, to solidify its vision, mission, and organizational direction. As a youth-led initiative, IKAYO aims to preserve indigenous knowledge, protect ancestral lands, and advocate for cultural and environmental sustainability. Through collaborative discussions and intergenerational dialogue, members crafted a shared vision that reflects their commitment to cultural continuity and responsible stewardship of their ancestral domain. The meeting also reinforced IKAYO’s role in regional and global Indigenous advocacy efforts.
Beyond defining its mission, the meeting focused on establishing IKAYO’s structure and planning key initiatives. A SWOT analysis helped identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities, leading to an action plan that includes intergenerational knowledge-sharing, environmental programs, and leadership training. Supported by partners such as APEA and EvalIndigenous, IKAYO members developed a strategic plan to implement activities like tree planting, legal training, and youth leadership development to empower its members. The gathering concluded with the adoption of IKAYO’s official logo and a presentation on Indigenous evaluation methodologies, symbolizing a unified step toward sustaining their cultural heritage and strengthening their advocacy for future generations.
Beyond defining its mission, the meeting focused on establishing IKAYO’s structure and planning key initiatives. A SWOT analysis helped identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities, leading to an action plan that includes intergenerational knowledge-sharing, environmental programs, and leadership training. Supported by partners such as APEA and EvalIndigenous, IKAYO members developed a strategic plan to implement activities like tree planting, legal training, and youth leadership development to empower its members. The gathering concluded with the adoption of IKAYO’s official logo and a presentation on Indigenous evaluation methodologies, symbolizing a unified step toward sustaining their cultural heritage and strengthening their advocacy for future generations.
EvalIndigenous Africa
BLOSSOMING
In the month of December 2024, Dr. Awuor Ponge assisted by Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs), Collins Oduka Odhiambo and Aisha Adhiambo Awuor and the Videographer, Abdulmalik Shilingi Fumbweh, visited the Ogiek indigenous community living in Mariashoni region of the Mau Forest. The purpose was to engage with individuals as well as the community, in collaboratively developing an approach that can help evaluators in working with indigenous communities. The study was approached from the perspective of evaluation as decision-making and trying to find out from the community, how decision-making can help inform evaluation process.
The video clips below will provide an insightful glimpse into the Ogiek community's unique approaches to project evaluation and development. Through the voices of individuals such as Stephen Lelei, Benaline Cheptoo, Cosmas Sigei, Emily Cheptoo, Donald Kipkoech, and representatives from the Ogiek People's Development Program (OPDP), these clips highlight the community's reliance on traditional structures, elder-led decision-making, and participatory methods to assess the effectiveness of initiatives. The Ogiek emphasise the importance of cultural preservation, grassroots engagement, and education in evaluating projects that impact their livelihoods and environment. These stories shed light on how traditional knowledge systems intersect with modern development practices to create sustainable solutions.
Each clip underscores the significant role of elders in guiding decisions and resolving conflicts within the Ogiek community. From natural resource management to family disputes and project implementation, elders act as custodians of wisdom and impartial decision-makers. The clips collectively emphasise that effective project evaluation in Indigenous contexts requires respecting local customs, building trust through transparent communication, and addressing systemic challenges such as land tenure issues and climate change. These narratives not only celebrate the resilience of the Ogiek people but also offer valuable lessons for inclusive and culturally sensitive development practices.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In September 2024 Dr. Awuor Ponge and Grace Wanjiru Murigo) travelled to Kilifi County in the Coastal region of Kenya to complete the study on the remaining Kayas namely: Kaya Ribe, Kaya Kambe and Kaya Jibana.The Study was titled, Traditional Decision-Making: Developing Indigenous Evaluation Methodologies with Kenyan Communities, Below are the YouTube clips and some pictures from their work, and you can also read their Blog post about their visit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLOG: This Year We Are All Going To DieJohn Njovu has written about Zambia's drought and its impact on evaluation practice:
Part 1. The wrath of the ancestral spirits and nature Part 2. Broken down family ties Part 3. The shadow economy Part 4. The disempowerment of clan heads by British colonialist |
2023
Over the course of 2023 EvalIndigenous projects undertook projects funded by a Ford Foundation’s grant to EvalIndigenous. In addition to gathering the voices of Indigenous knowledge holders and evaluators for the Indigenous Voices project, the projects included seed grant funding, the development of a directory of Indigenous evaluators, and peer-to-peer (P2P) collaborations.
EvalIndigenous Asia Pacific 2023
|
The Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA) and EvalIndigenous worked together to promote Indigenous approaches and strengthen the demand for culturally responsive Indigenous evaluation practices in the Asia Pacific region. One of the goals of our 2023 program was the promotion of the voices of Indigenous Evaluators and Indigenous people in the community undertaking similar roles as an evaluator. We funded four seeding grant projects in Nepal, the Philippines and Fiji. Reports on this work can be found on the Reports page. We also undertook local case studies with Indigenous evaluators and Indigenous communities. The focus of the case studies was on showcasing Indigenous evaluation practices and Indigenous evaluator and knowledge holder journeys. Our work has culminated in the production of a Toolkit on Indigenous Evaluations for Asia Pacific Region.
|
Asia Pacific Seeding GrantsAPEA on #gLOCAL2024: Strengthening Indigenous Evaluation in Nepal towards Transformational Change |
Community of Evaluators – Nepal (CoE-Nepal). Workshop on Indigenous Evaluation, 6 August 2023, Kathmandu Nepal.
|
|
EvalYouth Pacific. Knowledge Sharing Workshop, 20th - 21st September 2023, Fiji.
|
Kalahan Education Foundation (KEF)Intergenerational Tongtongan for the Continuity of the Ikalahan Heritage, 17-18 August 2023, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines.
|
Nepal Evaluation Society (NES). Orientation Program on Evaluation for the Parliamentarians from the
Indigenous Nationalities, 13 August 2023, Kathmandu, Nepal. |
|
|
|
|
EvalIndigenous African 2023
Atlas Project
Based on survey findings, a draft directory has been developed so that Indigenous evaluators and non-Indigenous evaluators working in Indigenous/Tribal communities in Africa can be located. This directory has been incorporated into the Evaluator Locator. Voices Project
Interviews with evaluators and knowledge holders can be found on our YouTube channel. In 2024, people will be invited to talk in small groups during the AFrEA Conference. |
Africa Seeding Projects
Five seeding projects were funded in 2023.
|
Indigenous Knowledge: Boran, Meru and Kalenjin communities in Kenya
These three communities are located in different parts of Kenya and are quite different in terms of their history, values and practices. One is in north, one in the east, and the third is in the Rift Valley part of Kenya. This project has been about if and how Indigenous Knowledge has been captured in evaluation, especially in relation to the SDGs. Discussions with elders and with the keepers of sacred places has highlighted the importance of longer stays in communities, because we have only scratched the surface in terms of our understandings. Story clips have been developed. Three are presented below and all can be found on our YouTube channel. Study reports are in the Reports section of this website.
These three communities are located in different parts of Kenya and are quite different in terms of their history, values and practices. One is in north, one in the east, and the third is in the Rift Valley part of Kenya. This project has been about if and how Indigenous Knowledge has been captured in evaluation, especially in relation to the SDGs. Discussions with elders and with the keepers of sacred places has highlighted the importance of longer stays in communities, because we have only scratched the surface in terms of our understandings. Story clips have been developed. Three are presented below and all can be found on our YouTube channel. Study reports are in the Reports section of this website.
|
|
|
|
|
Encouraging peer-to-peer (P2P) collaborations - Project Activity Report 2023
Activities:
|
|
EvalIndigenous-LAC 2023
|
|
|
Peer-to-Peer Connections
Peer-to-peer exchanges in Latin America and the Caribbean provided opportunities to consider the aspects of Knowledge, worldview, and evaluation; Indigenous evaluation; Colonialism/Decoloniality; and Transformation of power through indigenous valuation. This methodology aimed to create a dynamic and inclusive platform for evaluators in Latin America and the Caribbean to learn from each other, share experiences, and contribute to the advancement of evaluation practices in the region.
Peer-to-peer exchanges in Latin America and the Caribbean provided opportunities to consider the aspects of Knowledge, worldview, and evaluation; Indigenous evaluation; Colonialism/Decoloniality; and Transformation of power through indigenous valuation. This methodology aimed to create a dynamic and inclusive platform for evaluators in Latin America and the Caribbean to learn from each other, share experiences, and contribute to the advancement of evaluation practices in the region.
EvalIndigenous-LAC Webinars: Reflecting on a Transformative Journey
We are thrilled to share the success of our recent EvalIndigenous-LAC webinars, where our overarching goal was to delve into meaningful reflections, generate innovative proposals, and increase awareness regarding the invaluable contributions of indigenous worldviews and knowledge—ranging from Amazonian, Andean, Afro, to other perspectives from Central and South America. These insights have enriched critical perspectives on evaluation. Throughout the four engaging webinars, we explored diverse perspectives on the decolonization of evaluation. Our discussions involved indigenous evaluators, specialists in indigenous evaluation, decision-makers, representatives from academia, and cooperation agencies. Here are the recordings of our webinar series:
We are thrilled to share the success of our recent EvalIndigenous-LAC webinars, where our overarching goal was to delve into meaningful reflections, generate innovative proposals, and increase awareness regarding the invaluable contributions of indigenous worldviews and knowledge—ranging from Amazonian, Andean, Afro, to other perspectives from Central and South America. These insights have enriched critical perspectives on evaluation. Throughout the four engaging webinars, we explored diverse perspectives on the decolonization of evaluation. Our discussions involved indigenous evaluators, specialists in indigenous evaluation, decision-makers, representatives from academia, and cooperation agencies. Here are the recordings of our webinar series:
|
Knowledge and Worldviews: A Look at Evaluation from the Territories
Decolonizing Evaluation/Decolonization of Evaluation: Challenges and Perspectives
|
Decolonizing Proposals and Experiences of Evaluation
Decolonizing Evaluation: Toward the Transformation of Power Relations
|
At the end of this enlightening series, participants received a virtual certificate of participation. We extend our gratitude for the continuous support from ReLAC, ensuring ongoing reflections for the future. Special thanks to Martha Lanza Meneses for her leadership in making this initiative a success.
Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities as we continue our journey of promoting inclusivity and diverse perspectives in the evaluation landscape!
Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities as we continue our journey of promoting inclusivity and diverse perspectives in the evaluation landscape!
|
Indigenous Voices in Central and South America
Indigenous Voices have been uploaded onto the EvalIndigenous YouTube channel |
Kemly Camacho – Evaluadora mestiza / Mestiza evaluator, Costa Rica
|
Johanna Mahut – Evaluadora Urbana / Urban Evaluator, Colombia
|
|
Christian González, Boruca
|
|
Promotion of the Atlas EvalIndigenous-Latin American Chapter
The overarching goal is to create a comprehensive directory of Indigenous evaluators and indigenous individuals involved in evaluation, fostering active participation of indigenous communities in assessment and development processes. Specifically, the project aims to: i) identify and document indigenous evaluators in the region, gathering detailed and precise information about their experiences, knowledge, and areas of expertise, and ii) promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among Indigenous evaluators in the region, creating a robust network. This network will facilitate communication, sharing experiences, and collaboration on evaluation and development projects. This initiative will strengthen the capacities of Indigenous evaluators and promote best practices in evaluation from an Indigenous perspective.
The overarching goal is to create a comprehensive directory of Indigenous evaluators and indigenous individuals involved in evaluation, fostering active participation of indigenous communities in assessment and development processes. Specifically, the project aims to: i) identify and document indigenous evaluators in the region, gathering detailed and precise information about their experiences, knowledge, and areas of expertise, and ii) promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among Indigenous evaluators in the region, creating a robust network. This network will facilitate communication, sharing experiences, and collaboration on evaluation and development projects. This initiative will strengthen the capacities of Indigenous evaluators and promote best practices in evaluation from an Indigenous perspective.
