A critical aspect of CorpsAfrica’s approach will be the rigorous evaluation of each project that is implemented. The identification of short and long-term impacts will be used to improve future projects and to develop sets of best practices in key areas of international development. Because of the large number and diversity of the projects and the uniformity of evaluation practices, there is enormous potential for many lessons to be learned that can be shared with the international development world.
During the first three years, we will emphasize the collection of baseline data (populations, economic indicators, health and education levels, income sources and disparities, etc.) and specific project inputs and outputs. Clear outcomes measurements are more complicated, but we expect to have systems and procedures in place to enable significant results by the end of three years. The projects will be measured not only by their direct benefits to individuals and the overall economic sustainability of the community – but also to the lives and future careers of the volunteers themselves.
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“Failing Forward”
CorpsAfrica recognizes that the most valuable lessons often come from the biggest failures. We are planning to highlight projects that fail as well as those that succeed. We call this process “failing forward” – it is about recognizing practicalities and identifying where mistakes were made so that we can seize the opportunity to improve chances for success in the future. In this way - failures become successes!
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