Outline

Monitoring and evaluating a programme of the size and complexity of Supporting Voluntary Action is a challenge, not least as the objective is to collect and analyse evidence of change across both diverse networks of independent infrastructure organisations and through them to the wider voluntary sector and communities. In this task the SVA programme team has the support of a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisory Group and of Evaluation Support Scotland, the umbrella body for building evaluation capability in the Scottish voluntary sector.

Activities

Once the CVS network quality framework is in place, it is anticipated that in completing the online quality question set and uploading supporting evidence CVS will have provided a significant proportion of the information that the SVA staff require to report on progress towards agreed programme outcomes.

Baseline profiles of CVS established during a cycle of visits in summer 2008 will be updated towards the end of the SVA programme to determine what has changed with regard to areas of CVS business that SVA projects aim to develop.

The SVA Programme’s effectiveness will also be evaluated through other mechanisms, including an in depth case study of the impact on a small number of CVS over the time of the programme and evaluation of specific project activities, for example skills development opportunities.

More detail about the monitoring and evaluation approach and activities is provided on the following pages.

Impact on CVS

· SVA evaluation information collection is being coordinated with monitoring for the CVS Foundation plan (Scottish Government funding direct to CVS) to ensure CVS are not overloaded with requests for information.

· However there will be some impact caused by collecting information and recompense is available for this.

Strategy Paper

The Monitoring & Evaluation strategy paper is available by clicking on the link.

Further details

Contact details for the Advisory Group members and contracted delivery agents are available in section one of the reference pack. The programme manager has lead responsibility for monitoring and evaluation.