Constructing a Participatory Approach for the Evaluation of Social Policies and Programmes

Abstract

This article discusses the evaluation of social policies and programmes in the perspective of evaluation research. It tries to develop a methodology that has a participatory content. Thus, the evaluation of social policies and programmes is considered in its full potential for the construction of knowledge. It is seen as a development of the processes of public policies that involves different subjects, who have different interests and rationalities. In the construction of a concept of a participatory evaluation research, the article takes into account its technical, political and academic functions. Therefore, it reaffirms two dimensions of evaluation research: technical and political. The commitment of the evaluator-researcher to the critique of reality in the search for its transformation is the reference for the development of a participatory approach in evaluation research. The paper presents an introduction that describes the origins of what is considered as a participatory approach for evaluation of social policies and programmes, followed by developing reflections about evaluation as a part of the process of public policies; presents a concept of evaluation research in order to consider, in the following sections, details of the construction of a participatory concept and approach in evaluation research.