The five CS for innovating in evaluation capacity building: Lessons from the field

Abstract

Innovation is essential in addressing complex evaluation capacity building (ECB) efforts that include a host of interacting, nonlinear, adaptive, and dynamical individual and organizational level factors. This article highlights five key ingredients in fostering innovation in ECB, based on evaluation capacity building efforts of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. For the past 5 years, 87 organizations have participated in an integrated ECB program combining funding, training, and coaching support. The five key ingredients to fostering innovation in ECB are curiosity, courage, communication, commitment, and connection.