Does your project make a difference?
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About this publication
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A guide to evaluating environmental education projects and programs
Knowing that your program makes a difference is crucial for everyone who is conducting education to promote more sustainable living.
This booklet provides guidance to help local government officers and others who are planning and delivering Education for Sustainability Programs, to understand, and to get started on evaluation. It helps you to build evaluation into your program - rather than evaluate it at the end, or not to evaluate it at all. The booklet bridges the gap between specialist program evaluation and the relatively simple evaluation processes that form part of good program design and implementation. It is applicable regardless of the size of the project or the evaluation budget.
The document is designed for all those who are delivering education about waste and/or water issues (including water quality, and water demand) and/or air quality, and other environmental management issues. Its aim is to help you to plan and conduct more appropriate evaluation of your work. Whether it is used for the evaluation of specific projects, or for whole programs, it is intended to provide guidance and assistance in a practical and useful manner.
Does your Project Make a Difference? (projecteval04110.pdf 283 kb) shows you how to build an evaluation framework based on the logic of your project, through the development and use of an outcome hierarchy model. Regardless of your project's focus, or where you are in its life cycle, an outcomes hierarchy helps you to think through, and to question, your assumptions about how your program is working. When implemented appropriately, it provides evidence of impact across a range of levels. Evaluating within the hierarchy gives you confidence to make practical decisions about adjustments to the project/program, to substantiate your reports and to assist in future funding bids. Information gained through evaluation against an outcomes hierarchy will also help you to validate your project/program to others. The booklet's 'ultimate outcome', however, is to help you to continually improve your projects and their environmental, social and educational outcomes.