Experiences, perceptions and expectations of local project actors on monitoring and evaluation: A case study in the Philippines

Field research was conducted on the actual experiences, perceptions and expectations of monitoring and evaluation by local project actors in a rural development project. Different strategies and perceptions regarding the project's formal monitoring and evaluation system were identified as well as the existence of informal monitoring and evaluation practices. In addition, a gap was observed between local actors' information needs and the information actually provided by the formal system. This could be a major explanatory factor for actors' attitudes and practices. Results also provided evidence that involvement of local project actors in monitoring and evaluation is both desirable and feasible. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.