Research shows that National Evaluation Systems (NES) have been emerging in various African countries, differing in maturity, capacity and effectiveness. African governments are implementing evaluation systems to measure outcomes and impacts of their investments in social services, infrastructure and other public goods. Civil Society Organisations contribute significantly to the social and economic development of countries. CSOs cover a wide range of institutions and mandates, and include work at a community level – known as Community-Based Organisations (CBO) and professional Non-Government Organisations (NGO), as well as advocacy, lobbying and research organisations Ghaus-Pasha. CSOs come with varying human and financial capabilities, and serve on issues ranging from basic social services to the protection of human and environmental rights. In addition, internal systems are well established and there is coordination of activities such as data collection and synthesis, analysis and dissemination. As such, CSOs represent a wealth of knowledge and potential influence, and have much to offer in the process of national development. Despite the move towards a more open and accessible policy cycle, CSOs continue to fail to influence policy processes in developing countries. The question that this project aims to address across four African Twende Mbele Partner countries, is, what are the roles of CSOs in the monitoring and evaluation function throughout the policy cycle?
