IRIN Evaluation

IRIN Evaluation
Summary Findings & Recommendations

Background: 1. In late 2002 OCHA commissioned an independent evaluation of its Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). The evaluation, which was completed in March 2003, reviewed the experience of the network to date and undertook to assess its relevance, efficiency, value-added, impact and sustainability in support of OCHA’s mission. Research for the Evaluation was conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa, Central Europe and New York. In addition, the views of more than 1,800 IRIN users were collected and analysed through an e-survey. The Evaluation’s findings and recommendation, summarised below, are consistently positive and make a strong case for continued and consistent support for IRIN. The full text of the Evaluation report is available on on http://www.reliefweb.net. Principal Findings: 2. The IRIN Evaluation found that IRIN’s products and services provide timely, in-depth analysis and detail of coverage on humanitarian issues, and that IRIN reports score highly for credibility, relevance and influence. As a result, IRIN products are used by a diverse audience for a wide variety of purposes. Most often IRIN products are used for updating, background briefings on crises areas, and forwarding to others, but they are also used for informing funding decisions, developing policy, and taking security or programming decisions. 3. The Evaluation also notes that IRIN’s influence extends to sensitising and educating audiences through Web Specials, Plus News and IRIN Radio. This widespread usage for diverse purposes has created a unique niche for IRIN. So much so that if IRIN were no longer available, there would be an immediate negative effect on the daily work of those concerned with humanitarian matters. 4. The Evaluation makes clear that IRIN’s current and ongoing impact is at all levels. IRIN’s reports influence policymakers as well as the decisions taken by humanitarians in their daily work, in both the strategic planning and programme implementation activities. Further, because most media view IRIN as an original and exclusive source for stories, they act as a “multiplier effect,” by using IRIN material and therefore extending IRIN’s outreach. The result is that IRIN’s scope, reputation and influence are greatly enhanced. The Evaluation also shows that IRIN’s status with a range of sectors (e.g. the humanitarian community, the media) results in a “high connectivity.” The result has been the development of an expert network of informateurs -- including donors, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society –, which is based on trust and shared humanitarian values. 5. The Evaluation report also noted that IRIN’s competence as a “knowledge network” is widely recognized. A reflection of this recognition came with IRIN Coordinator Pat Banks’ being awarded a 2002 UN 21 Award in the area of knowledge management. Key Recommendations 6. The Evaluation concluded that IRIN’s status as an independent and credible news provider working within the UN system “works well and does not need to be changed.” Therefore, IRIN should continue to remain part of OCHA, as it “directly supports OCHA’s capacity to effectively manage information for the purpose of humanitarian coordination.” In a linked conclusion, the Evaluation also suggested that IRIN’s French language service is “central to OCHA’s coordination function” and should be supported. 7. The Evaluation also found that in light of IRIN’s “demonstrated highly rated performance” that more predictable funding should be secured for IRIN, through the establishment of a revolving fund with donors, or the development of a Trusteeship Forum to help IRIN to further raise its profile. 8. On the matter of expansion of IRIN, the report noted that, to date, IRIN has achieved an effective balance between resources and coverage. To maintain this balance between resources and coverage, the Evaluation suggests that further requests for expansion of IRIN by stakeholders should be subject to three tests: a) Demonstrated need for IRIN coverage in a particular geographical area b) Confirmation that the IRIN model can be “easily and cost-effectively replicated. c) Availability of resources. 9. The Evaluation also recommended that the “multiplier effect” achieved by the media’s use of IRIN content should strengthened through increased promotion of IRIN with local and international media and staff exchanges when appropriate. 10. The Evaluation concluded by recommending that IRIN should be supported through the promotion of its authoritative and cost-effective products.