Assessing the process of participatory monitoring and evaluation: A case study of the Salesian Institute Youth Project, vocational training in Cape Town South Africa

Abstract

The involvement of beneficiaries in monitoring and evaluation processes, not only does it ensure the success of the project’s intended objectives, but it empowers, creates knowledge production while guaranteeing a means to a sustainable livelihood for beneficiaries. The study sought to assess the process of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation using a case study of the Salesian Institute Youth project, vocational training in Cape Town South Africa. Thus the study set out to conduct an evaluative assessment of stakeholder participation in the process of PM&E; identify the organizational structure of the project team and the parties involved; assess the project intended goals versus the outcomes of the project, and identify the relationship between the process of PM&E and the outcomes of the project. The study employed quantitative and quantitative methods, noting the low response rate a larger sample of 150 questionnaires was evenly distributed across gender and 102 were completed. Ten interviews were conducted across all stakeholders. Data were captured and analyzed using SPSS and thematic analysis. The study concludes that the involvement of participants in the process of PM&E is vital to achieving positive projects outcomes. Participants should be made aware of the meaning, purposes of the project as this allows for their comprehension and free will to participate in PM&E processes. Although the outcomes of the project were positive, the study recommends that there is a need for an established scientific PM&E system for the organization that can be implemented in organization projects.