Participatory and empowerment evaluation tools for regeneration

Abstract

This paper looks at the experience of a public-sector regeneration partnership — East Oxford Action (EOA) — of using participatory evaluation methods, especially 'empowerment evaluation', as a tool within regeneration programmes. It is based on the practitioner's need for the evaluation to be of use, and to move the regeneration practice forward. In particular, the paper looks at the role that participatory evaluation has in addressing power and empowerment issues around evaluation and programmes generally. Importantly, in participatory and empowerment evaluations at least equal status is given to staff and beneficiary communities as to funders and programme partners. Empowerment evaluation is delivered through a workshop, broken down into five stages — establishing the aim, agreeing success criteria, scoring current performance, discussion and, finally, identifying future action. It is argued that empowerment evaluation has particular value where it can inform future action, either as part of a longitudinal evaluation or as part of the planning for a future programme. In addition, it has particular value in building capacity and ownership within those involved and thus has a role in supporting post-funding sustainability.