Security sector reform
The concept of security sector reform (SSR) has gained widespread acceptance internationally. However, there is still no agreement among those who support or carry out SSR work on what success looks like or how to track the progress of programmes. This is an important gap because it means field practitioners and the donor community do not have the tools and evidence they need to make their programmes work.
In 2008-2009 Saferworld undertook a project - 'Evaluating for security' - to develop tools and guidance on how to monitor and evaluate SSR. Our approach was to work with donor agencies and field practitioners involved in SSR to identify lessons from past SSR programmes and combine this with best practice from other areas. We have published a synthesis report which highlights the project's research findings, drawing on a desk review, case studies and surveys.
The report makes recommendations for how the challenges surrounding monitoring and evaluating of security sector reform (SSR) programmes can be managed or overcome. The report proposes a draft set of evaluation criteria and guide questions for evaluators, reviews the available material that is relevant to the M&E of SSR, and discusses the potential demand for a more detailed guidance product on this issue.
Using this report as a base, Saferworld is currently working with the OECD DAC International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF) to develop a toolkit on the M&E of security and justice programmes.
