Impact measurement for NGOs: experiences from India and Sri Lanka

The measurement of impact is difficult in development work as it entails attributing longterm social, personal, and community change, to relatively small-scale short-term interventions in a community's life. This paper examines the experience of the Australian NGO Oxfam Community Aid Abroad in measuring its impact in two of its operational regions, India and Sri Lanka. The findings highlight the importance both of participation and `downward' accountability mechanisms, and of linking local-level activities within a broad regional, national, and global context.