Participatory evaluation is the sea eagle looking “long way wide eyed”

Abstract: Participatory evaluation can be embedded in programs to support good governance and facilitate informed decision making in Aboriginal communities in remote and urban contexts. An Aboriginal Elder from the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory of Australia described participatory evaluation as a sea eagle looking “long way wide eyed.” The metaphor refers to the long-term and broad approach undertaken when a complex community development program used participatory processes to build evaluation capacity and solve problems. The evaluation approach ensured the program was inclusive, responsive, empowering, and resulted in direct benefits for the communities. This article addresses the lack of literature on applying developmental and empowerment evaluation approaches in practice by describing the methods, tools, and use of evaluation findings. The value of participating for the community members and partner organizations is shared and the benefits and implications for participants and the evaluator are discussed. The authors hope this article inspires practitioners and evaluators to consider participatory ways of working with communities to support community directed action and social change.