The IDS id21 project Experiences with user based programme development David Wendt Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Background of id21 One of many information services at IDS

id21 work areas Sourcing: UK-funded research Re-producing: Highlights, insights, and news Communication: online, , paper Audience: policy inquiry communities in priority developing countries (media, researchers, policymakers, CSOs, etc)

NBAO Needs: - Access to research findings - Effective communication of research Beneficiaries: - Policy inquiry communities in DfID priority countries (PSA) - Knowledge producers – UK funded Activities - Sourcing - Producing - Communicating Outcomes - Enhanced issue understandings - Applied knowledge - Effective solutions

Basic stats As of April 1 st 2005: Paper: subscriptions to Insights (49430 copies; unique addresses) subscriptions to bulletins Web: 24,682 visits 87% of our paper subscribers are in the South

Understanding our users Policy inquiry communities are complex, diverse, and changing… A fixed understanding of users and their needs does not exist… To understand users requires continuous engagement with and feedback from actual and intended users.

Tools for understanding id21 impact assessment in 2002 and surveys Ongoing market research to map in country information contexts from intended users perspectives Ongoing monitoring and evaluation to understand how our services change the information contexts of actual users

Market Research What we did: 11 trips to 10 countries in 2004/ interviews per trip with intended and actual users Context mapping of information practices, realities and needs Partnership building Planning for future learning activities

M&E Subscriber and user stats User surveys Depth interviews Case studies Advisory board and contracted reviews

What are we learning? Information feast and famine Staying relevant to local issues is critical, though difficult Do not overestimate peoples use of the internet

Further resources id Impact Assessment: Summary reports from our Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa Trips Contact me if you would like to know more about our M&E: