Switching the Poles
Impact Evaluation of the Third Framework Agreement (FA3-III) between the Belgian Directorate General for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance (DGD) and the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM)
hera conducted the impact evaluation of the 3rd phase of the 3rd framework agreement between the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) and the Belgian Government (Directorate for Development Cooperation – DGD).
The aim of the FA3 was to 'Switch the Poles' - to ensure ownership of the supported activities by the Southern partners. This agreement focused on enhancing the capacity of selected institutions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America for research, training, and service delivery.
Throughout the duration of the FA3, the ITM and its Southern partner institutions collaboratively worked towards building an equal partnership, a crucial step towards achieving the overall vision. This objective was either fully realized or remains on track in all but two partnerships. The hera team conducted the impact evaluation of the 3rd phase of the FA3 between ITM and DGD reviewing 24 projects across 18 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including three deep-dive country case studies, and the evaluation of ten thematic networks. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted us to adapt our evaluation methods to virtual formats. National experts implemented case studies through interviews, group work, site visits, and surveys. We evaluated projects via interviews with North and South promoters and assessed networks through dedicated e-surveys and social network analysis of four networks.
The findings from this comprehensive evaluation were disseminated in a final report and shared in a Zoom work session with ITM staff and a public webinar. These findings are currently being used by ITM to prepare for the 5th framework agreement with DGD.
Reflecting on this project, it was a tremendous learning opportunity to witness the power of international collaboration, capacity building, and the importance of local ownership in driving sustainable health outcomes. We remain inspired by the successes and lessons from this programme and are eager to apply these insights to future projects, continuing our efforts to contribute to the betterment of global health.