Evaluation of the Self-Regulation, Drink Driving, and Noncommercial Alcohol initiatives is a key facet of Global Actions on Harmful Drinking. Our sponsor companies and the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) have contracted with an outside research firm, Channel Research, to conduct comprehensive evaluation studies over a three-year time frame (2010-2012).

The overall objective of this evaluation is to generate a knowledge base to help support current and future efforts to reduce harmful drinking through local actions around the world.

The evaluation effort entails a three-tier focus:

• To inform alignment of the initiatives with best practices;
• To sustain the credibility of the work undertaken by providing information according to accepted methodologies; and
• To strengthen the monitoring and evaluation functions of each initiative as a result of evaluation visits, as well as the development of internal processes for future reporting.

Mid-term Evaluation Report

Channel Research has issued a mid-term evaluation of Global Actions which focused on capturing the information learned to date from the initiatives to improve the management and implementation of initiatives over the next two years. To read a summary of the report, click here.

The evaluation methodology included a continuous process of documentation review, interviews with ICAP staff, and three field visits to Botswana, Vietnam, and Mexico. During the field visits, interviews were conducted by telephone or face to face, using a semi-structured process. The identification of respondents was based on their knowledge of the Global Actions initiatives, of related initiatives, and of specific country needs relating to the initiatives.

The mid-term evaluation report included the following key findings:

• The effectiveness and the efficiency of the initiatives are high, thanks to ICAP’s careful coordination, both with local partners and with related voluntary initiatives. The recent recruitment of country coordinators has accelerated the pace of deployment, and increased efficiency.
• The approach adopted for Global Actions is relevant, allowing ICAP to build on a synergy of interests in different countries around the responsible consumption of alcohol. This has allowed Global Actions to engage industry representatives and ensure the emergence of a joint approach, using the comparative advantages of various institutions to promote socially responsible practices.
• The extent of influence of the initiatives comes from being locally targeted at specific areas, and from the attractiveness for all stakeholders of taking a responsible stance toward social problems.
• Global Actions makes knowledge available in a timely manner and is able to target resources (geographically or thematically) to achieve a critical mass of effort.
• The Noncommercial Alcohol initiative is already achieving impact, due to the high public interest in the regulation of alcohol and the need for quality data. Self-Regulation and Drink Driving are closely aligned to good practice standards and should achieve impact in a three-year time frame.

To learn more about the evaluation methodology or the mid-term evaluation report, contact info@global-actions.org.