Evaluation of the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development in South Africa (PSPPD)

Detailed description of project Back

South Africa being a middle income country with a high level of poverty and inequality is confronted with a very complex context that makes it difficult to fully understand the effect and consequences of policy choices. By studying the dynamics of poverty and by analysing the impact of policy decisions, the Government will be in a position to take decisions that are better informed through research evidence, improve implementations of its programmes and the impact thereof.

Some important aspects of household dynamics such as household structure and formation, inter-generational mobility and migration are not yet fully understood. Such limited insight has an implication of policy focusing and targeting. The Programme to Support Pro – Poor Policy Development in South Africa (PSPPD) is an initiative addressing this need. The overall objective of the PSPPD was to contribute to the efficacy of public policy interventions in household economises with the aim of improving service delivery and achieving economic and social development goals. Three key result areas were covered: (i) knowledge and understanding of poverty and household dynamics and their effects on public policy formulation (ii) knowledge dissemination and linkage building and (iii) capacity building and training.

The objective of this final evaluation of the PSPPD are to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme implementation; to assess the real and prospective impact of the delivery of the programme and to assess the sustainability of the activities an structures developed.

Type of services provided

PROMAN provides the services of a Team of two experts who are requested to assess

• Consistency with the strategic priorities of SA and the CCP 2003-2006;
• Stakeholder participation in the management and implementation and the ownership at institutional level;
• Programme performance (efficiency and effectiveness);
• Programme management and coordination, timeliness;
• Quality of operational work planning, budgeting and risk management;
• Alignment of outcomes and activities with other government and donor initiatives;
• Prospects of sustainable benefits;
• Concrete examples how the programme influenced policy making, strategy, implementation and structures of departments and provinces supported.

The Team will further provide key recommendations and guidance on future activities in the areas of evidence based policy making.

PROMAN HQ provides overall backstopping and quality control.