Zambia accountability programme (ZAP) & the developmental evaluation approach

The aim of ZAP is to strengthen supply and demand-led accountability mechanisms, specifically in relation to political processes and policy advocacy/influencing at the national level and education services at the local level. Adaptive programming gives impetus to DDD as donors increasingly recognise that linear programme designs often disregard the complex and dynamic contexts and interconnectedness of development issues. It also allows programmes to work in a more locally-led and demand driven way, addressing issues and exploiting opportunities that arise instead of focussing on predetermined areas of engagement, frequently identified by external actors. Thus, in a programme such as ZAP, greater attention needs to be given to the lead service provider’s ability to integrate political awareness in the knowledge management architecture of programme implementation, to monitor progress and impact on an ongoing basis, and to learn and reflect on both needs and what is working or not, and, as a result, to adapt and adjust course.