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Evaluating institutional sustainability in development programmes: beyond dollars and cents

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  • Deryck R. Brown

    (University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago)

Abstract

The issue of sustainability, its definition and measurement, is crucial to current debates in development policy and aid reform. But while all donors demand it few define it in operational terms. This poses serious methodological challenges for evaluators since there are no accepted and uncontested indicators of institutional sustainability. They therefore resort to using quantitative measures such as the calculation of a 'sustainability rate'. This paper examines different views of institutional sustainability and identifies some of their shortcomings from the standpoint of programme evaluation. Institutional sustainability is seen as a capacity rather than a financial issue. It then suggests the need for qualitative indicators of sustainability and argues that the institution's capacity to learn-as reflected in the relative importance accorded to action and reflection, the way in which the institution deals with 'discordant information', and its capacity to conduct and use evaluations-is a key aspect of sustainability. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Deryck R. Brown, 1998. "Evaluating institutional sustainability in development programmes: beyond dollars and cents," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 10(1), pages 55-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:10:y:1998:i:1:p:55-69
    DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1328(199801)10:1<55::AID-JID452>3.0.CO;2-W
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brinkerhoff, Derick W. & Goldsmith, Arthur A., 1992. "Promoting the sustainability of development institutions: A framework for strategy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 369-383, March.
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    1. Horton, Douglas & Mackay, Ronald, 2003. "Using evaluation to enhance institutional learning and change: recent experiences with agricultural research and development," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 78(2), pages 127-142, November.
    2. Rafael Ninno Muniz & Stéfano Frizzo Stefenon & William Gouvêa Buratto & Ademir Nied & Luiz Henrique Meyer & Erlon Cristian Finardi & Ricardo Marino Kühl & José Alberto Silva de Sá & Brigida Ramati Per, 2020. "Tools for Measuring Energy Sustainability: A Comparative Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, May.
    3. Kayaga, Sam & Mugabi, Josses & Kingdom, William, 2013. "Evaluating the institutional sustainability of an urban water utility: A conceptual framework and research directions," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 15-27.
    4. Sara Kinsbergen & Dirk-Jan Koch & Christine Plaisier & Lau Schulpen, 2022. "Long-Lasting, But Not Transformative. An Ex-post Sustainability Study of Development Interventions of Private Development Initiatives," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(1), pages 51-76, February.
    5. Blanchet, Karl & Girois, Susan, 2013. "Selection of sustainability indicators for health services in challenging environments: Balancing scientific approach with political engagement," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 28-32.

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