Evaluation of the Drylands Coordination Group’s activities in Mali, Ethiopia and Sudan, 2007-2011

The Drylands Coordination Group (DCG) is a NORAD-funded network of various non-governmental organizations, research institutions and government institutions focusing on food security related development issues in the dryland areas of Africa, more specifically Sudan, Ethiopia and Mali. DCG's approach is to produce research and practical knowledge and share this amongst various institutions such as NGOs, CBOs, research institutions, and policy making entities. The objective of this evaluation was to assess outcomes and impacts of the network synergies and operations (action research/policy research/capacity building) of DCG?s work 2007-2011. Further, the evaluation assessed the network?s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. One of the main recommendations is to further increase collaboration between researchers and member NGOs in conducting action research projects, in particular learning from the successful experiences of the Ecofarm projects in the three countries.