Seeding projects are responsive to the aspirations of Indigenous peoples for evaluation that is a good cultural 'fit' for them. Seeding grants encourage innovations in evaluative thinking that reflect Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being. This page collects together information about seeding projects.
Fiji - EvalYouth Pacific - 2023-2024
EvalYouth Pacific. Knowledge Sharing Workshop, 20th - 21st September 2023, Fiji.
The EvalYouth Pacific project, supported by the APEA Seed Grant, focused on strengthening Indigenous evaluation frameworks and methodologies in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary activity was a two-day knowledge-sharing workshop on Indigenous evaluation, held on September 20–21, 2023, in Fiji. This event brought together 21 participants from diverse sectors, including civil society, government, academia, and donor agencies.
The EvalYouth Pacific project, supported by the APEA Seed Grant, focused on strengthening Indigenous evaluation frameworks and methodologies in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary activity was a two-day knowledge-sharing workshop on Indigenous evaluation, held on September 20–21, 2023, in Fiji. This event brought together 21 participants from diverse sectors, including civil society, government, academia, and donor agencies.
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Kenya - Kikuyus, 2023-2024
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This project by Solomon Michael Gitau Waiyego explored the cultural taboos (Mugiro) of the Agikuyu community in Gikura Village, Central Kenya. These taboos regulate social behavior, ensuring discipline, unity, and order. Violating them leads to uncleanliness (Thahu) or even a curse (Kirumi). The study documented 165 taboos covering birth, circumcision, marriage, death, social interactions, and land use. The project employed community-based participatory methods, including interviews, focus groups, and digital data collection through Kobo Collect. It also mapped cultural sites and explored Agikuyu historical origins. Findings reveal that taboos play a vital role in governance, gender roles, and social cohesion. The project strengthens indigenous knowledge-sharing and contributes to broader discussions on cultural preservation and evaluation in Africa. Solomon recommends further research and wider dissemination of the findings to support cultural heritage conservation.
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Mongolia - Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA), 2024-2025
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.
Nepal - Community of Evaluators - Nepal, 2023-2024
Community of Evaluators – Nepal (CoE-Nepal). Workshop on Indigenous Evaluation, 6 August 2023, Kathmandu Nepal.
The one-day Workshop on Indigenous Evaluation in Nepal, held on August 6, 2023, in Kathmandu, aimed to strengthen Indigenous evaluation frameworks by bringing together evaluators, Indigenous leaders, and experts. Organized by CoE-Nepal in collaboration with APEA, EvalIndigenous, and EvalPartners, it focused on culturally responsive evaluation, Indigenous methodologies, ethics, and policy advocacy. Key discussions included Free Prior Informed Consent, storytelling methods, and holistic approaches. The workshop fostered collaborative learning, with participants advocating for policy changes, capacity-building, and a network of Indigenous evaluators. Post-workshop feedback emphasized the need for continued training and engagement in Indigenous evaluation practices in Nepal.
The one-day Workshop on Indigenous Evaluation in Nepal, held on August 6, 2023, in Kathmandu, aimed to strengthen Indigenous evaluation frameworks by bringing together evaluators, Indigenous leaders, and experts. Organized by CoE-Nepal in collaboration with APEA, EvalIndigenous, and EvalPartners, it focused on culturally responsive evaluation, Indigenous methodologies, ethics, and policy advocacy. Key discussions included Free Prior Informed Consent, storytelling methods, and holistic approaches. The workshop fostered collaborative learning, with participants advocating for policy changes, capacity-building, and a network of Indigenous evaluators. Post-workshop feedback emphasized the need for continued training and engagement in Indigenous evaluation practices in Nepal.
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Nepal - Nepal Evaluation Society (NES) - Nepal, 2023-2024 |
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Nepal Evaluation Society (NES). Orientation Program on Evaluation for the Parliamentarians from the
Indigenous Nationalities, 13 August 2023, Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Orientation Program on Evaluation for Parliamentarians from Indigenous Nationalities introduced evaluation concepts, OECD criteria, Nepal’s evaluation system, and Indigenous rights to newly elected Indigenous parliamentarians. Key speakers, including government officials and evaluation experts, highlighted the importance of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in governance and policy-making. Participants engaged in plenary discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions. The program emphasized capacity-building for Indigenous leaders, promoting evidence-based decision-making, and encouraging further training to strengthen Indigenous evaluation practices in Nepal.
Indigenous Nationalities, 13 August 2023, Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Orientation Program on Evaluation for Parliamentarians from Indigenous Nationalities introduced evaluation concepts, OECD criteria, Nepal’s evaluation system, and Indigenous rights to newly elected Indigenous parliamentarians. Key speakers, including government officials and evaluation experts, highlighted the importance of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in governance and policy-making. Participants engaged in plenary discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions. The program emphasized capacity-building for Indigenous leaders, promoting evidence-based decision-making, and encouraging further training to strengthen Indigenous evaluation practices in Nepal.
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Philippines - Kalahan Education Foundation (KEF), 2023-2024
Kalahan Education Foundation (KEF) Intergenerational Tongtongan for the Continuity of the Ikalahan Heritage, 17-18 August 2023, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines.
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Tanzania, 2023-2034
Writing retreats were funded to ensure evaluation outcomes are published. In June 2024, The African Evaluation Journal published Almas Mazigo's papers (one with colleagues) on the Swalihi evaluation approach.
Swahili Wisdom for Shaping Development Evaluation Practices, examines 45 Swahili proverbs to propose a people-centered evaluation approach. It argues that development evaluations should be social activities led by those directly impacted. Evaluations should assess whether project promises are kept, identify solutions to implementation challenges, and enable collaborative learning to document project histories. The study highlights how Swahili wisdom can enhance participatory and contextually relevant evaluations.
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The Swahili Evaluation Approach: Content and Guidance for Doing Development Evaluation, builds on these ideas to propose a structured evaluation framework. It critiques Euro-American methodologies for failing to capture African realities and calls for locally developed evaluation practices. The Swahili approach emphasizes involving people with lived project experiences, fostering ethical and respectful relationships, and generating credible evidence through collective inquiry and co-learning.
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