Evaluering av Forum for Utvikling og Miljø

Background

The Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment was founded in 1993 as a continuation of the Norwegian Campaign for Environment and Development. The Campaign supported and coordinated Norwegian NGOs up to the UNCED in Rio de Janiero in 1992. After 5 years of activity in its new form, ForUM appointed ECON to carry out an evaluation.

Purpose/objective

The objective the evaluation was to contribute to the discussion around ForUM's future by showing what had been achieved, and to what degree ForUM had carried out its mandate.

Methodology

A survey was carried out, gathering the experience and opinions of the MOs, Norwegian authorities and partners in the South. All MOs were requested to participate, and 5 networks from the South. In addition one representative from NORAD, two from the Ministry of Environment and one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were interviewed. Based on analysis of the interviews and the conclusions, ECON also made recommendations for the future of ForUM.

Key findings

Positive findings:
• ForUM has influence because of its relevance and professionalism.
• ForUM's closeness to the authorities does not appear to have affected
its integrity.
• The sponsoring of participation in international meetings has had positive educational and motivational effect, as has the sponsoring of working groups.
• The dissemination of information from the authorities is a central task for ForUM that is experienced as useful by all parties.
• The MOs were positive to ForUMs existence, find ForUM useful, and wish for ForUM to continue to exist.

Recommendations

The ECON evaluation recommended clearer strategic choices based on the following criteria:
• the likelihood of achieving results
• legitimacy in relation to both MOs and authorities
• relevance
• demand of organisational resources
• the contribution to the maintenance of democratic activity in ForUM
• integrity

Comments from the organisation

The strategic choices referred to in the evaluation are subject to continual review.
ForUM is aware that this is a difficult balance that must be regularly reappraised. ForUM seeks to do this through frequent strategic seminars where members of the board and foremen of the working groups are invited and others where the MOs are invited.