Measuring impact

It's great when we get it all right, but some of our most effective work emerges from trial and error. Using data, analysis, and consultation with a range of people—from community members to government officials—we continually adjust our approach for greater impact.

As a development organization we must be accountable not only to our donors, but also to the people on whose behalf we work—the people at the center of our programs. In late 2005, Oxfam established a department dedicated to learning, evaluation, and accountability. Since that time we have been making increased investments in this area. Now all long-term programs, major campaigns, and key innovation projects have a rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and learning system. Most include:

  1. A baseline or assessment of the situation prior to intervention
  2. A monitoring system with quarterly or midterm reports documenting progress in relation to plans
  3. Annual reviews that document aggregate evidence and that bring stakeholders together for reflections on progress
  4. An evaluation every three to four years and/or when an initiative finishes

Interested in learning even more about how Oxfam measures impact? Explore our research, evaluations, and impact reports.

Oxfam Impact

  1. Impact update

    The Animation Model: fostering more inclusive and accountable extractive industries in Tanzania

    Oxfam’s extractives industry program in Tanzania—largely funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) since the country’s 2014 gas boom—has been advocating for transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources, solidifying relationships between communities, government, and industry stakeholders. Partners Mighty Society Against Poverty (MSOAPO),[1] Lindi Association of NGOs (LANGO),[2] and Northern Coalition for Extractives and Environment (NCEE)[3] have established important local accountability networks in some of Tanzania’s most exploited regions. These networks of animators—citizens who work collectively with local government authorities, councilors, the private sector, and CSOs to monitor the utilization of oil and gas revenues in communities—have become the driving force behind local transparency and accountability. Animators are further mobilizing around social welfare issues such as access to social services, water reserves, and economic opportunities, all while holding those in power to account.

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Measuring impact: Case studies

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Global Arms Trade Treaty

In 2012, a historic arms trade treaty derailed. Oxfam assessed what we needed to do to get it ratified. Eight months later, the first international arms trade treaty passed.

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Saving lives in El Salvador

In El Salvador, the rains of October 2011 were catastrophic, but the emergency response was swift and effective—the culmination of years of advocacy and training.

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Mining in East Asia

Development work is all context—and contexts change—which is why monitoring and evaluating our work are critical: so we can change course as needed to achieve impact.

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