Final Report Aggregation & Synthesis 2019

Earlier this year, in the spring of 2019, the Department for Stabilisation and Humanitarian Aid (DSH) started revising the indicators underlying its Results Framework (RF). Around the same time, several implementing partners approached DSH with questions about the synthesis of reports, i.e., the exercise by which DSH brings together and selects insights from reports produced by implementing partners to then be presented to parliament and society more broadly. 

Against this background, DSH invited its implementing partners for a dialogue on indicators, synthesis and reporting. Through the dialogue, DSH aimed at soliciting feedback and learn from practices by implementing partners. But DSH also wanted to use the opportunity for an exchange of thoughts among implementing partners. The Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law (KPSRL) coordinated the dialogue. It divided implementing partners in two groups, and organized two parallel sessions – one on indicators, another on synthesis – and a third joint discussion regarding next steps. Around the same time, KPSRL also coordinated meetings with implementing partners on the alignment between SDG16 and the DSH Results Framework. 

This report offers a summary of observations made by implementing partners and DSH during the sessions on indicators, synthesis and reporting. In addition to an outline of insights on these topics, this document also summarizes observations on two other issues that emerged during the dialogue and importantly contributed to it: the identification of outcomes from programs and projects; and, learning.

A final note on the treatment of observations by implementing partners is asked for. The observations often varied across participants on particular issues. In light of the larger objectives of the sessions, that was not considered problematic. Instead, the variation was welcomed. It allows DSH to consider different perspectives on several issues and thereby make even more informed decisions.