Papers by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
Journal of Rural Studies, 2018
The embeddedness between producers and consumers has been one of the factors that have ensured th... more The embeddedness between producers and consumers has been one of the factors that have ensured the survival of farmers' markets (FM) as one of the main Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) for agricultural producers. Although changes in the agri-food system in recent decades significantly reduced their position in the supply chain, farmers' markets have recently regained their appeal as a marketing channel within Alternative Food Networks (AFN). These networks value “buy local” and/or food “quality” as variables that help to build a relationship of mutual trust. The main aim of this research is to analyze the factors that encourage this relationship between producers and consumers involved in local markets. For this, an assessment of the social dimension of ten FMs in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) is carried out. Through a Cluster Analysis, we study what motivations producers and consumers have for attending markets, and how these motivations influence the way in which they participate in FMs. The results of the research show how this explanatory factor of embeddedness depends on certain personal characteristics that define the way in which producers and consumers participate in FMs. In addition, the conclusions highlight the need to develop governance models in these marketing channels in order to ensure the legitimacy and viability of these initiatives. This implies setting challenges for managers and policymakers, as well as looking at future lines of research linked to the role of markets in AFNs.
Farmers' markets are a traditional exchange space for local peasants, around which alternative ag... more Farmers' markets are a traditional exchange space for local peasants, around which alternative agri-food networks (AFNs) are being built on a local scale. These AFNs seek to establish quality and trust-based equitable relationships within value chains. The main objective of this paper is to measure the economic impact of 10 farmers' markets on the local economy in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa (Northern Spain). To calculate the degree of impact, we use the tools of input-output analysis, adapting the SEED & NEED & FEED (Sticky Economic Evaluation Device & Neighborhood Exchange Evaluation Device & Food Environment Evaluation Device) approach to the specific context of the Basque Country. The results obtained give an economic value of the impact of these marketing spaces, including direct and indirect effects on other economic sectors. Furthermore, the results show that markets present other factors, not just economic, that add value for both producers and consumers, as well as for the local economy.
Este artículo analiza la utilización de los resultados y del proceso seguido en la evaluación de ... more Este artículo analiza la utilización de los resultados y del proceso seguido en la evaluación de un programa de desarrollo rural basada en un enfoque participativo. Para ello, se utiliza la experiencia de la Evaluación Intermedia del Plan de Desarrollo Rural Sostenible del País Vasco 2000-2006. La premisa fundamental del equipo evaluador es que la participación incrementa la utilización de la evaluación, favoreciendo su uso en el diseño y en la toma de decisiones. El artículo se estructura en dos partes fundamentales: la primera de ellas describe la adecuación del modelo de evaluación participativa a los intereses y propósitos de nuestra evaluación. La segunda parte examina el impacto que este modelo de evaluación tuvo sobre el uso de sus hallazgos y recomendaciones. Esta valoración permitió extraer lecciones que pueden ayudar a reforzar el uso de la evaluación en contextos donde participan múltiples agentes, favoreciendo así el desarrollo de la gobernanza.
El Acuerdo sobre Agricultura de la Organización Mundial del Comercio
(OMC) reconoce la existencia... more El Acuerdo sobre Agricultura de la Organización Mundial del Comercio
(OMC) reconoce la existencia de «cuestiones no comerciales» que han de ser tenidas en cuenta en las negociaciones multilaterales sobre comercio agrario. Estas preocupaciones aparecen muchas veces vinculadas a la defensa del carácter multifuncional de la agricultura. Esta noción se ha convertido en piedra angular de los argumentos esgrimidos por algunos países con agriculturas fuertemente subsidiadas para justificar la excepcionalidad agraria en el seno de la OMC, lo que ha dado lugar a fuertes controversias dentro y fuera de la OMC. Este artículo trata de esbozar las actuales posiciones
existentes sobre el tema en las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha en torno a las «preocupaciones no comerciales» haciendo especial énfasis en sus consecuencias en el debate sobre comercio y desarrollo.
Environmental Policy and Governance, 2016
In recent decades, the use of evaluation has been one of the main concerns of both academics and ... more In recent decades, the use of evaluation has been one of the main concerns of both academics and practitioners, and there has been much controversy throughout the evaluation literature. Different perspectives of evaluation can determine the way evaluation findings are used and the contribution of evaluation to individual and organizational learning is conditioned by stakeholder participation. In this article, our main hypothesis is that stakeholder participation increases evaluation significance, ownership and utilization and, as a consequence, participatory evaluation approaches improve programme governance. We focus on the evaluation of the Rural Sustainable Development Plan in the Basque Country, a context that reveals a complex institutional network (at regional and local level) with a limited tradition of evaluation. To enhance the full scope of participatory evaluation, this article: (i) briefly reviews the theoretical discourse on evaluation utilization; (ii) describes the evaluation context (rural development policy and its governance); (iii) presents the evaluation model as applied to the mid-term evaluation of the Basque Rural Sustainable Development Plan; and (iv) analyses the use of the evaluation findings and processes according to four dimensions, namely information generation, knowledge generation, orientated-action utilization and orientated-policy utilization. Finally, we provide guidance to improve knowledge about evaluation use, participation and good governance, which could be all considered as basic tools for solid institutionalization of sustainable development strategies.
The relevance of local farmers' markets (LFM) as marketing channel for small farmers has reduced ... more The relevance of local farmers' markets (LFM) as marketing channel for small farmers has reduced in the Basque Country during last decades, due to the rise of new marketing channels, the change in consumption patterns and other processes related to local and global food systems. The main aim of our research is to make an assessment of the economic and social impact of LFM over local economy in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa (northern Spain). The methodology is based in the SEED&NEED&FEED approach. The scope extends to ten different LFM. Three different surveys have been done among farmers, consumer and neighbors. Expected results include economic and social value of the impact of LFM.
In this paper, our objective is to analyse and assess the use of evaluation findings and processe... more In this paper, our objective is to analyse and assess the use of evaluation findings and processes when using participatory evaluation. To do this, we use our experience of the Intermediate Evaluation of the Rural Development Plan in the Basque Country. In this evaluation, our core premise was that stakeholder participation would enhance evaluation relevance, ownership and utilisation. For this reason, once the evaluation reports were written and disseminated, we undertook specific research directed towards an assessment of the use of evaluation findings and processes.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we analyse the level and degree of participation reached in our evaluation, based on three criteria: stakeholder selection, degree of involvement, and control of the evaluation process. In this study of participation, we also take into account the existence of different evaluation contexts that affect the evaluation exercise (structural, institutional, administrative and socio-political barriers).
Secondly, we analyse how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to four areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 4) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country).
This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model.
In this paper, our objective is to analyse the utilization of evaluation findings and evaluation ... more In this paper, our objective is to analyse the utilization of evaluation findings and evaluation processes for collective learning and improving policies when using participatory evaluation. To do this, we use our experience of the Intermediate Evaluation of the Rural Development Plan in the Basque Country. In this evaluation, our core premise was that stakeholder participation would enhance evaluation relevance, ownership and utilisation. For this reason, once the evaluation reports were written and disseminated, we undertook specific research directed towards an assessment of the use of evaluation findings and processes.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we explain why we have used a participatory model for the evaluation of the Rural Development Plan. Since the beginning, our objective was twofold: 1) to generate information facilitating and enriching the process of discussion on the problems and capacity for collective learning and action (empowerment), and 2) to increase the use of evaluation results helping the Basque administration to take new decisions about sustainable rural policy in the future. In order to do this, we adopted a participatory model for this evaluation. Essentially, participatory evaluation starts out from a recognition that evaluation develops within a pluralist society and allows the evaluation to be built upon the ideas, values and aspirations of the participants at all levels and throughout the whole process. The aim is to open the evaluation up to the interests, opinions and value systems of the social agents interested in or affected by the evaluation exercise, this is the different stakeholders. Evaluation ceases to be an exercise of assessment where the predominant perspective comes from only one angle, that of the objectives of the policy designer as the only criteria for evaluation, and becomes an exercise which stimulates the appearance of a collective learning process, that is certainly more complex, but enriches at the same time our understanding of reality. So, our intention was to transform evaluation into an open and participatory process of collective learning and empowerment for action:. In this new context, evaluation:
- Produce information, promote and enrich the discussion process on needs and problems.
- Generate knowledge, transform ideas and achieve a better understanding of the real processes of change.
- Modify policies and formulate new public actions that are better adapted to the social realities they aim to change.
Secondly, we analyse our success in meeting these objectives, this is, how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus groups. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to five areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) capacity building; 4) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 5) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country). This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model. Knowledge gained with regard to how different stakeholders use evaluation findings and process, how they behave when evaluation calls for their active participation, when and where participatory models are more easily implemented and conducted and what barriers and obstacles appear in this process, can be of great interest for improving evaluation practices and regional policies. In summary, our aim is to expand our awareness about how we can contribute to increasing the utilisation of evaluation findings and processes. Moreover, this evaluation generates relevant knowledge about “mutual accountability”, as one of the uses of evaluation is to help the different partners and institutions (regional and local administrations) to generate action-orientated information and knowledge that can contribute to producing better programs and policies. These improvements would enable us to design and put into operation more effective regional rural policies, with greater benefits for communities and rural society as a whole.
Durante las últimas décadas, el proceso de globalización económica ha generado profundos cambios ... more Durante las últimas décadas, el proceso de globalización económica ha generado profundos cambios en el sistema agroalimentario internacional, Estos cambios han acelerado la desaparición progresiva de pequeños productores y productoras agrarios. El concepto de Soberanía Alimentaria (SA) surge como paradigma de respuesta y de resistencia a estos procesos. Sin embargo, su desarrollo presenta aún lagunas y contradicciones que condicionan su solidez como eje para la construcción de un paradigma alternativo al sistema agroalimentario global.
En la actualidad, las zonas de montaña suponen el 16,2 por ciento de la Superficie Agraria Útil (... more En la actualidad, las zonas de montaña suponen el 16,2 por ciento de la Superficie Agraria Útil (SAU) de la Unión Europea (UE), que reconoce a las zonas de montaña como zonas desfavorecidas y, por lo tanto, como zonas susceptibles de
tener un tratamiento especial dentro por la política de desarrollo rural de la UE. Esta política de desarrollo rural se integra dentro de la Política Agraria Común (PAC), e integra un conjunto de actuaciones dirigidas a las zonas rurales de la UE. En este artículo se hace un breve repaso de la evolución de
la PAC y sus implicaciones para las zonas de montaña, concluyendo con algunos de los retos que la redefinición de esta política a partir de 2013 planteará para el futuro
de estas zonas
Desde comienzos de la década de los noventa las actuaciones públicas sobre el medio rural, además... more Desde comienzos de la década de los noventa las actuaciones públicas sobre el medio rural, además de las políticas sectoriales orientadas al estímulo de la producción y a la protección de las rentas agrarias, han ido desarrollando gradualmente políticas territoriales cuyo objetivo era promover el desarrollo de las zonas rurales. De esta manera las políticas de desarrollo rural han adquirido una importancia creciente como instrumentos de cohesión territorial, de invertir el proceso de declive social y económico que padecían las zonas rurales y aumentar así el bienestar de las zonas rurales. Más allá de las evaluaciones de los programas aplicados, el artículo desarrolla un análisis y un balance acerca de la filosofía, diseño y aplicación de los programas de desarrollo rural, así como sobre la contribución de las actuaciones realizadas en el sentido de objetivos comparados con los previstos alcanzados.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) is undergoing a process of debate. The setting of the Mille... more Official Development Assistance (ODA) is undergoing a process of debate. The setting of the Millennium Development Goals brought a significant boost in the amounts of money spent on ODA, which was later reinforced by the Monterrey Conference (2002), where efforts were made to redefine the role of ODA compared to other growing private flows, setting a new agenda to finance the development. The discussion on aid effectiveness and the Paris Declaration (2005) seemed to add opportunities for rethinking ODA, and giving it a new meaning.
However, during the first decade of the 21st century, and especially with the advent of the global crisis, we face a picture of ODA tendency towards stagnation, with serious doubts about the fulfilment of its commitments, and without a clear definition of its role.
In this context, the rise of decentralized co-operation driven by local governments in some European countries is a poorly understood phenomenon, which may offer alternatives to redefine the role of ODA, but has not yet clearly defined its specificity and potential.
Los bienes públicos de origen agrario se hallan vinculados a las múltiples funciones que puede de... more Los bienes públicos de origen agrario se hallan vinculados a las múltiples funciones que puede desempeñar la agricultura más allá de la producción de alimentos. Estas funciones no comerciales pueden ser ambientales, sociales, culturales o de otro tipo, y son la base de lo que se conoce como multifuncionalidad agraria, siendo ésta una consecuencia de los procesos de producción conjunta que tienen lugar en el sector. En este documento de trabajo se realiza una síntesis del concepto teórico de multifuncionalidad agraria, un concepto que en los últimos años ha ganado relevancia de cara configurarse en la piedra angular de un nuevo modelo de política agraria y rural.
Since 1990, governments have put more emphasis on the evaluation of regional policies but, as we ... more Since 1990, governments have put more emphasis on the evaluation of regional policies but, as we will argue, limited lessons can be learnt from these works and their capacity to facilitate the accumulation of knowledge and learning has been restricted. The objective of this paper is to explore the potential of new evaluation models such as the 'theory of change' approach. For this reason, we summarise the limitations of the current approach to evaluating these policies (mainly value for money studies), and we explore the potential advantages that the use of a 'theory of change' evaluation model applied to the assessment of regional development policy is able to introduce. Finally, at the moment of writing, we are working on the design for the evaluation of the Plan for Rural Sustainable Development (PDRS) in the Basque Country using a 'theory of change', participatory approach. The final part of this paper aims to show the work carried out to date. It is, however, not yet possible to present real evidence, but we hope to do so in the near future.
Books by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
Esta investigación aborda el problema de los procesos de desagrarización y sus consecuencias. Con... more Esta investigación aborda el problema de los procesos de desagrarización y sus consecuencias. Con carácter novedoso, se valoran los efectos económicos directos e inducidos por el retroceso real e hipotético de la actividad agropecuaria y forestal. Así mismo, se valoran los servicios ambientales y la importancia del capital natural acumulado en torno a la actividad productiva agropecuaria y forestal, y el medio rural. El estudio se completa con el análisis de la dinámica del binomio población-territorio.
Reports by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
Desde su aparición a finales de la década de los noventa, la Soberanía Alimentaria ha sido adopta... more Desde su aparición a finales de la década de los noventa, la Soberanía Alimentaria ha sido adoptada por movimientos sociales campesinos como paradigma de respuesta a las consecuencias de la globalización neoliberal sobre el sistema agroalimentario global. De forma paralela, el concepto ha sido objeto de un intenso debate teórico por parte de investigadores, responsables políticos y activistas. En cuanto a su implementación política, su alcance ha sido limitado, pese a haber pasado a formar parte de los debates en la FAO o incorporado como principio y derecho a las constituciones de países como Ecuador, Bolivia y otros.
En este boletín se trata de hacer un breve repaso a la singladura del concepto, haciendo énfasis en los principales debates que penden sobre su construcción como paradigma alternativo para la democratización del sistema agroalimentario global.
La evaluación ex postdel PDRS 2000-2006 del País Vasco es un ejercicio de evaluación que ti... more La evaluación ex postdel PDRS 2000-2006 del País Vasco es un ejercicio de evaluación que tiene como objetivo valorar los efectos y resultados conseguidos por el plan, así como realizar recomendaciones que contribuyan a mejorar el diseño de las futuras políticas de desarrollo rural.
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Papers by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
(OMC) reconoce la existencia de «cuestiones no comerciales» que han de ser tenidas en cuenta en las negociaciones multilaterales sobre comercio agrario. Estas preocupaciones aparecen muchas veces vinculadas a la defensa del carácter multifuncional de la agricultura. Esta noción se ha convertido en piedra angular de los argumentos esgrimidos por algunos países con agriculturas fuertemente subsidiadas para justificar la excepcionalidad agraria en el seno de la OMC, lo que ha dado lugar a fuertes controversias dentro y fuera de la OMC. Este artículo trata de esbozar las actuales posiciones
existentes sobre el tema en las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha en torno a las «preocupaciones no comerciales» haciendo especial énfasis en sus consecuencias en el debate sobre comercio y desarrollo.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we analyse the level and degree of participation reached in our evaluation, based on three criteria: stakeholder selection, degree of involvement, and control of the evaluation process. In this study of participation, we also take into account the existence of different evaluation contexts that affect the evaluation exercise (structural, institutional, administrative and socio-political barriers).
Secondly, we analyse how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to four areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 4) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country).
This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we explain why we have used a participatory model for the evaluation of the Rural Development Plan. Since the beginning, our objective was twofold: 1) to generate information facilitating and enriching the process of discussion on the problems and capacity for collective learning and action (empowerment), and 2) to increase the use of evaluation results helping the Basque administration to take new decisions about sustainable rural policy in the future. In order to do this, we adopted a participatory model for this evaluation. Essentially, participatory evaluation starts out from a recognition that evaluation develops within a pluralist society and allows the evaluation to be built upon the ideas, values and aspirations of the participants at all levels and throughout the whole process. The aim is to open the evaluation up to the interests, opinions and value systems of the social agents interested in or affected by the evaluation exercise, this is the different stakeholders. Evaluation ceases to be an exercise of assessment where the predominant perspective comes from only one angle, that of the objectives of the policy designer as the only criteria for evaluation, and becomes an exercise which stimulates the appearance of a collective learning process, that is certainly more complex, but enriches at the same time our understanding of reality. So, our intention was to transform evaluation into an open and participatory process of collective learning and empowerment for action:. In this new context, evaluation:
- Produce information, promote and enrich the discussion process on needs and problems.
- Generate knowledge, transform ideas and achieve a better understanding of the real processes of change.
- Modify policies and formulate new public actions that are better adapted to the social realities they aim to change.
Secondly, we analyse our success in meeting these objectives, this is, how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus groups. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to five areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) capacity building; 4) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 5) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country). This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model. Knowledge gained with regard to how different stakeholders use evaluation findings and process, how they behave when evaluation calls for their active participation, when and where participatory models are more easily implemented and conducted and what barriers and obstacles appear in this process, can be of great interest for improving evaluation practices and regional policies. In summary, our aim is to expand our awareness about how we can contribute to increasing the utilisation of evaluation findings and processes. Moreover, this evaluation generates relevant knowledge about “mutual accountability”, as one of the uses of evaluation is to help the different partners and institutions (regional and local administrations) to generate action-orientated information and knowledge that can contribute to producing better programs and policies. These improvements would enable us to design and put into operation more effective regional rural policies, with greater benefits for communities and rural society as a whole.
tener un tratamiento especial dentro por la política de desarrollo rural de la UE. Esta política de desarrollo rural se integra dentro de la Política Agraria Común (PAC), e integra un conjunto de actuaciones dirigidas a las zonas rurales de la UE. En este artículo se hace un breve repaso de la evolución de
la PAC y sus implicaciones para las zonas de montaña, concluyendo con algunos de los retos que la redefinición de esta política a partir de 2013 planteará para el futuro
de estas zonas
However, during the first decade of the 21st century, and especially with the advent of the global crisis, we face a picture of ODA tendency towards stagnation, with serious doubts about the fulfilment of its commitments, and without a clear definition of its role.
In this context, the rise of decentralized co-operation driven by local governments in some European countries is a poorly understood phenomenon, which may offer alternatives to redefine the role of ODA, but has not yet clearly defined its specificity and potential.
Books by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
Reports by Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua
En este boletín se trata de hacer un breve repaso a la singladura del concepto, haciendo énfasis en los principales debates que penden sobre su construcción como paradigma alternativo para la democratización del sistema agroalimentario global.
(OMC) reconoce la existencia de «cuestiones no comerciales» que han de ser tenidas en cuenta en las negociaciones multilaterales sobre comercio agrario. Estas preocupaciones aparecen muchas veces vinculadas a la defensa del carácter multifuncional de la agricultura. Esta noción se ha convertido en piedra angular de los argumentos esgrimidos por algunos países con agriculturas fuertemente subsidiadas para justificar la excepcionalidad agraria en el seno de la OMC, lo que ha dado lugar a fuertes controversias dentro y fuera de la OMC. Este artículo trata de esbozar las actuales posiciones
existentes sobre el tema en las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha en torno a las «preocupaciones no comerciales» haciendo especial énfasis en sus consecuencias en el debate sobre comercio y desarrollo.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we analyse the level and degree of participation reached in our evaluation, based on three criteria: stakeholder selection, degree of involvement, and control of the evaluation process. In this study of participation, we also take into account the existence of different evaluation contexts that affect the evaluation exercise (structural, institutional, administrative and socio-political barriers).
Secondly, we analyse how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to four areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 4) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country).
This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model.
Our paper is structured into two main parts. First, we explain why we have used a participatory model for the evaluation of the Rural Development Plan. Since the beginning, our objective was twofold: 1) to generate information facilitating and enriching the process of discussion on the problems and capacity for collective learning and action (empowerment), and 2) to increase the use of evaluation results helping the Basque administration to take new decisions about sustainable rural policy in the future. In order to do this, we adopted a participatory model for this evaluation. Essentially, participatory evaluation starts out from a recognition that evaluation develops within a pluralist society and allows the evaluation to be built upon the ideas, values and aspirations of the participants at all levels and throughout the whole process. The aim is to open the evaluation up to the interests, opinions and value systems of the social agents interested in or affected by the evaluation exercise, this is the different stakeholders. Evaluation ceases to be an exercise of assessment where the predominant perspective comes from only one angle, that of the objectives of the policy designer as the only criteria for evaluation, and becomes an exercise which stimulates the appearance of a collective learning process, that is certainly more complex, but enriches at the same time our understanding of reality. So, our intention was to transform evaluation into an open and participatory process of collective learning and empowerment for action:. In this new context, evaluation:
- Produce information, promote and enrich the discussion process on needs and problems.
- Generate knowledge, transform ideas and achieve a better understanding of the real processes of change.
- Modify policies and formulate new public actions that are better adapted to the social realities they aim to change.
Secondly, we analyse our success in meeting these objectives, this is, how significant the evaluation was for stakeholders and regional and local institutions, basing our findings on a specific survey using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus groups. The use of evaluation findings and processes was assessed in relation to five areas of influence: 1) information generation; 2) knowledge generation; 3) capacity building; 4) oriented actions (improving the programs) and 5) oriented policies (improving rural policies in our country). This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help us improve participatory evaluation practice and has also proved very useful for identifying contexts that are more conductive and responsive to this evaluation model. Knowledge gained with regard to how different stakeholders use evaluation findings and process, how they behave when evaluation calls for their active participation, when and where participatory models are more easily implemented and conducted and what barriers and obstacles appear in this process, can be of great interest for improving evaluation practices and regional policies. In summary, our aim is to expand our awareness about how we can contribute to increasing the utilisation of evaluation findings and processes. Moreover, this evaluation generates relevant knowledge about “mutual accountability”, as one of the uses of evaluation is to help the different partners and institutions (regional and local administrations) to generate action-orientated information and knowledge that can contribute to producing better programs and policies. These improvements would enable us to design and put into operation more effective regional rural policies, with greater benefits for communities and rural society as a whole.
tener un tratamiento especial dentro por la política de desarrollo rural de la UE. Esta política de desarrollo rural se integra dentro de la Política Agraria Común (PAC), e integra un conjunto de actuaciones dirigidas a las zonas rurales de la UE. En este artículo se hace un breve repaso de la evolución de
la PAC y sus implicaciones para las zonas de montaña, concluyendo con algunos de los retos que la redefinición de esta política a partir de 2013 planteará para el futuro
de estas zonas
However, during the first decade of the 21st century, and especially with the advent of the global crisis, we face a picture of ODA tendency towards stagnation, with serious doubts about the fulfilment of its commitments, and without a clear definition of its role.
In this context, the rise of decentralized co-operation driven by local governments in some European countries is a poorly understood phenomenon, which may offer alternatives to redefine the role of ODA, but has not yet clearly defined its specificity and potential.
En este boletín se trata de hacer un breve repaso a la singladura del concepto, haciendo énfasis en los principales debates que penden sobre su construcción como paradigma alternativo para la democratización del sistema agroalimentario global.
Por un lado hacemos referencia a las circunstancias preliminares que intervienen en la creación del centro de acopio, condicionantes que tienen que ver con los diversos actores que participan en el proyecto, sus antecedentes, ideología, capacidad de trabajo colectivo, o las interrelaciones que se establecen entre ellos. También se observan otros factores relacionados con el proyecto en sí, cómo se define el proyecto o el proceso para el diseño del centro, quién lo define, desde qué perspectiva o en qué circunstancias se hace. Variables que influyen en gran medida en el sistema de gobernanza que se va configurando alrededor del centro de acopio.
Por otro lado, nos centramos en los factores que influyen en el proceso de diseño y la puesta en marcha del proyecto. En este sentido, nos referimos a la participación de los diversos actores en el proceso, y sobre todo el papel de los productores. Su capacidad e interés de intervenir en el proceso, y dónde se sitúan en los espacios de toma de decisiones. En qué nivel de la toma de decisiones intervienen o tienen capacidad para intervenir. Además observamos que la actitud o el comportamiento de cada actor influye en la definición de un proyecto colectivo, o las alianzas y las relaciones de poder que se va tejiendo en su articulación. La cooperación entre los actores y el sistema organizativo que se va definiendo se convierten en pieza clave para acordar la identidad del centro de acopio. Tampoco podemos dejar de al lado, los medios de comunicación y dialogo que se establecen entre los diversos actores, y por ende, entre saberes, para hacer frente a las incertezas que surgen durante la definición del proyecto.
Por último, también observamos que la capacidad en la utilización de mecanismos y herramientas para la facilitación del proceso es uno de los factores que más contribuye en la acción colectiva que contribuyen los diversos actores participantes.
corto de comercialización (CCC) para los pequeños productorxs locales, debido a una estrategia de multicanalidad en la comercialización, a la general homogeneización de nuevos hábitos de consumo y otros procesos relacionados con el sistema agroalimentario local y global. El objetivo principal de esta
investigación ha sido el de analizar el grado de arraigo social que representan los mercados locales, en el intento de prever el devenir de estos espacios. Para ello se ha realizado una valoración de la dimensión social de diez mercados locales de
productores de Gipuzkoa (País Vasco). De esta forma se han estudiado las razones
que las personas productoras y consumidoras de los mercados aseguran tener
para acercarse a estos espacios, identificado los factores que influyen en su
participación. Los resultados de la investigación desarrollada en los mercados de
la provincia nos muestran el grado de arraigo social que manifiestan, y ponen en
valor la importancia que los modelos de gobernanza de estos canales cortos de
comercialización presentan, para poder asegurar la legitimidad y la viabilidad de
estos espacios.
This paper analyses the use of the evaluation results and the process carried out in the evaluation of a rural development evaluation programme focused in a participatory evaluation model. To do this, it is used the experience of the mid-term evaluation of the Sustainable Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 in the Basque Country. The core premise of the evaluation team was that stakeholder participation would enhance evaluation use, promoting its utilisation in the decision making process in future policies. The paper is structured into two main parts: The first one describes the adequacy of the participatory evaluation model to the interest and purposes of our evaluation. The second part examines the impact of this evaluation model on the evaluation utilisation. This assessment has given us the opportunity to draw lessons that can help to improve the utility of evaluation in multi - actor contexts, favouring thus the development of governance.