Bangladesh - Belgium

Citizens’ Voice and Accountability Evaluation – Bangladesh Country Case Study
a number of different country contexts. With regard to the specific context of
Bangladesh, particular attention should be given to the local power dynamics
including formal and informal hierarchical structures, as well as to the gender aspect
– considering that, for women, there are still several obstacles for expressing their
voice and accessing to power.
Purpose and Use
12. The purpose of the evaluation is twofold:
a) To improve understanding of CV&A among development partners by
mapping and documenting approaches and strategies of development
partners for enhancing CV&A in a variety of developing country contexts;
and to learn lessons on which approaches have worked best, where and
why;
b) To assess effects of a range of donor CV&A interventions on governance
and on aid effectiveness, and whether these effects are sustainable.
13. In enhancing learning about CV&A interventions, the evaluation will hence
make a contribution in an area of development co-operation which is allocated
increasing resources but in which there is still little evidence on results. The
evaluation also serves an important purpose of enhancing the transparency and
accountability of donors.
14. As an instrument of both learning and accountability, the evaluation will
contribute to policy development, improved practices and understanding in an
important aspect of governance, and be of use to a wide audience: policy makers,
desk officers, country offices and implementing partners and evaluators.
15. This multi-donor initiative will culminate in a synthesis report to be published
in April 2008. It will analyse the lessons learned from the various case studies and
make recommendations for donors to consider and implement. The CCS are thus a
vital part of this process, and need to be reflective of different governance contexts
and provide examples of the variety of approaches to CV&A.
Objectives and Scope of the Country Case Studies
16. Against the described background and purpose of the evaluation the
objectives of each of the CCS are to:
a) Assess the selected interventions against their intended objectives, and on
the basis of that draw conclusions on what works, and what does not, in
relation to intervention programme theories.
b) Assess the relevance of the interventions for strengthening CV&A in the
specific developing country context.
c) Provide an overall assessment/analysis of donors’ role, success and
failures in supporting CV&A in different country contexts
Scope
17. In accomplishing the objectives of the assignment a thorough understanding
of, and familiarity with, the CV&A Evaluation Framework and associated
documentation 38 will be necessary. The evaluation will be based on the common
38 See attached files. It is important to note that the Evaluation Framework and Methodology is integral
part of the present TORs.
47