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Challenge
In Colombia, as in most developing countries, there has been very limited information on actual central government spending at the sub-national level, and a lack of data on budget execution by individual departments and municipalities. The information feeding the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system at the national and local levels was of poor quality due to the lack of unified standards and protocols to produce, audit and disseminate information across the ministries and government agencies. There were also indications of some degree of duplication of information with different bodies requesting the same or similar information from government agencies.
Approach
Strengthening the National System for Evaluation of Public Sector Performance (SINERGIA) has helped the government of Colombia improve the effectiveness of public spending in the country, so it can meet its economic and social objectives. The Monitoring and Evaluation for Results Management Project has provided the opportunity for a systemic, whole-of-government approach to strengthening M&E in Colombia, one of the first experiences with this approach in the region. The project has built upon previous M&E activities of the World Bank and other donor projects in Colombia. In addition, a Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Fund (PHRD) grant for the preparation of this loan funded significant capacity building and stakeholders’ consensus for the development of knowledge and expertise regarding M&E in Colombia.
The main activities have included:
- Definition of the 2010 evaluation agenda.
- Preparation of a regionalized investment budget.
- Definition of a methodological guide for impact and outcome evaluations.
- Approval of guidelines for an accountability policy of the Executive branch towards citizens.
- Completion of the exercise to replicate the multidimensional measurement of poverty based on the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
- Completion of a pilot test of the new technological platform for the governments’ Goal Monitoring System.
- Creation of the Colombian M&E Network
Results
Significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of the project, in particular on the components related to sub-national M&E:
- There are standards for collection and classification of public investment spending by region.
- Sub-national entities, such as Tocancipá, Pasto, Medellín, Bogotá, and Antioquia, are producing quality performance information to assess the performance of their local development plans.
- Training and dissemination on performance methods and tools were delivered in several departments of the country last year.
- A growing interest in and support to the Colombia M&E Network, which was launched at the 4th Annual Conference of the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Network on M&E.
There have been advances in other components of the loan, such as strengthening the central level M&E systems:
- There is a growing evaluation agenda, i.e. projects and programs being evaluated, encompassing different sectors and programs in public administration.
- An improved monitoring system (SISMEG) will soon replace the SIGOB (National Monitoring System in the Office of the Presidency).
- A new system (SIDEVAL) is under development to report and follow-up on the recommendations from the evaluations.
Bank Contribution
At the request of the Colombian government, IBRD financed US$8.5 million for the implementation of project activities for a period of five years. Preceding the loan, the Japanese government approved a PHRD grant for project preparation, executed by the Ministry of Planning, for US$600,000.
Partners
A distinguishing feature of Colombia is the support of a number of donors in crucial aspects of M&E. The World Bank has closely coordinated with other development agencies, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to explore possible collaboration opportunities and to avoid the duplication of efforts. This coordination has enabled the government of Colombia to draw on multiple sources of M&E experience and to adapt them to local conditions. The IDB and the Bank have funded mainly impact evaluations and financial management. GTZ has provided technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity in the most vulnerable municipalities in the country. USAID-Cassals have provided technical assistance and funding in the design and development of selected M&E systems at the sub-national level.
Moving Forward
Key officials now appreciate the challenges of institutionalizing the government’s M&E system, and they have clearly stated their support for it. Their common objective is that the information that SINERGIA provides will be used more intensively in coming years, and that it will continue to support good governance after the change in administration. The greater involvement of sector ministries and agencies will also encourage their own utilization of the M&E information produced by SINERGIA.
Beneficiaries
The project supports the Office of the Presidency, the Ministry of Planning (DNP), the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (MHCP), and pilot local governments by strengthening the M&E system so that it relies on regular, consistent, and reliable information. The project also allows citizens and civil organizations to exert quality social accountability, improved planning and policy and program design.
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