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Effective M & E of community development programs can improve management, accountability, participation, trust, learning, efficiency and development impacts. Monitoring is as much about building relationships, trust and mutual learning as it is about collecting and reporting data. Project monitoring is an ongoing process of recurrently examining and measuring a project’s actual outputs and impacts during implementation. Tracking inputs and outputs (ie, money spent and school built) is useful but insufficient to demonstrate impact. Evaluation is a long-term assessment that typically takes place at the end of a project or as a mid-project review. Many companies choose to have the evaluation of their projects done periodically by independent, external advisors, but self-evaluation is also worthwhile. Participatory monitoring--engaging diverse local stakeholders throughout the community development program--is an effective way to institutionalize local participation and improve local impacts. This potentially benefits the company, through improved local relations and productivity, as much as the community. Ideally, participation will begin in the design and planning phases of a community development intervention and be sustained over time through monitoring. Relevant tools include Logical Framework Analysis, Participatory Indicator Development, Goal Attainment Scaling, Community Scorecards, Global Reporting Initiative and Social Impact Analysis.

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Impact Alliance

The Impact Alliance is a global action network committed to strengthening the capacity of individuals and organizations to generate deep impact within the communities they serve.

World NGO Resource Page

In order for NGO's to connect on a worldwide basis www.nonprofitexpert.com has developed the following resource pages listed below. Please follow links for countries and donors.

Impact Alliance

The Impact Alliance is a global action network committed to strengthening the capacity of individuals and organizations to generate deep impact within the communities they serve. It is a dynamic space for partners and members to share, learn and collaborate to define and develop standards of excellence in the art and practice of capacity building.

Keystone

Keystone is a citizen organisation committed to enhancing the effectiveness of organisations working in the social change field. Keystone seeks to improve the effectiveness of organisations working in the human development field by developing new ways of planning, measuring and communicating social change that are practical and include the voices of their beneficiaries and other constituents.

Rights & Accountability in Development (RAID)
AID's mission is to promote a rights-based approach to development. RAID works to advance corporate accountability, fair investment and good governance to ensure the human rights of people living in poverty are respected by the private sector, international financial institutions and governments.

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IFC’s Knowledge Leadership Changing the Corporate Responsibility Game
21 Jul 2010

IFC recently assembled over 200 representatives from the private sector to discuss ways that companies can maximize the positive impacts of their community investments and contribute to long-term economic growth in developing countries.


The Amsterdam Declaration on Transparency and Reporting
24 Mar 2009

Global leaders from business, labor and civil society today declared their belief that the lack of transparency in the existing system for corporate reporting has failed its stakeholders. In issuing The Amsterdam Declaration on Transparency and Reporting, Board Members of the Global Reporting Initiative called on governments to introduce policies requiring companies to address publicly environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.


Report Finds That Most Corporations Fail to Address Risks That Threaten Long-Term Profitability
19 Nov 2008

Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions (EIRIS) report on responsible business practices finds insufficient ESG risk management and inadequate disclosure and advocates PRI involvement for responsible investors.


The changing face of community investment: Measuring community investment
26 Sep 2008

As community investment becomes more strategic, companies want to know what impact their activities are having on society.


Getting on Board with Corporate Social Responsibility
22 Sep 2008

SocialFunds.com, 25 August 2008 - Corporate boards can and should influence their companies' social and environmental performances finds a new report.

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Measuring Community Impact
June 2010, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility

Planning and Financial Valuation Model for Sustainability Investments
International Finance Corporation, CommDev, Rio Tinto Alcan, Deloitte, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MIGA

A partnership comprised of International Finance Corporation, Rio Tinto Alcan and Deloitte with additional support from the Government of Norway and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency has successfully developed a pilot version of the Planning and Financial Valuation Tool for Sustainability Investments that quantifies the value of sustainability investments, allowing the user to plan according.


Using Mixed Methods to Assess Social Capital in Low Income Countries: A Practical Guide
December 2007, Veronica Nyhan Jones, CommDev | Michael Woolcock, Brooks World Poverty Institute
An overview of some practical guidelines for using both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess social capital in low income countries.

Glossary of Key Terms
April 2009, CommDev

Glossary of Key Terms

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BSR Conference 2009
October 20 - 23, 2009
San Francisco, California, USA
Now more than ever, innovative sustainability strategies are needed to deliver business value today, and position companies to successfully meet the greater challenges ahead. The BSR Conference is an essential opportunity to learn how to leverage your resources, implement changes, and succeed in a world where business as usual is no longer viable.
Follow-up Workshop on Participatory Planning & Monitoring in Community Development Related to Extractive Projects in Ghana
May 26 - 27, 2009
Accra, Ghana
Follow-up workshop to reconvene multi-stakeholder teams including community development practitioners from extractive companies, local government, NGOs, and local civil society to share their experiences on participatory planning and monitoring.
Sustainability Investments in Oil, Gas & Mining: Mitigating Risk, Delivering Quality, Increasing Value
16 April 2009
Washington DC, USA

There is a growing expectation globally that large scale investments by the extractive industries will bring broad-based benefits to local communities through Sustainable Development/Community Relations investments. In line with these efforts, IFC CommDev is previewing the Planning and Financial Valuation Tool for Sustainability Investments. The event took place on April 16th, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Sharing Experiences: Enhancing the Benefits to Communities from Extractive Industry Projects
19 June 2006
Washington DC, U.S.
The objective of the workshop was to share experiences, training, and raise awareness of the community development work that is taking place. The focus was on sharing practical examples of helping communities benefit from extractive industry, highlighting the diversity of community development activities (supply chain, social, environmental issues), and discussing successes and lessons.
The 2nd Annual European Anti-Corruption Summit
October 6 - 7, 2008
The Hague, The Netherlands

The conference will cover the most up-to-date topics when it comes to corruption prevention, with case studies from many of Europe's leading company's. The event offers a practical learning environment where you will have time to share information, ask questions, discuss and network with you're peers.

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