Home : Reports and Publications : Audit & Evaluation : Evaluation of the WCBSN – Sept 2004
3.3 Success of WCBSN
Results and impacts
Are the network's activities resulting in more effective organizations? Are they improving their internal governance? Service delivery? Impacts on entrepreneurs and communities?
Are lessons/best practices shared between network members?
Are the results of the network meeting WD's expectations?
Overall, WD key informants had mixed opinions as to the success of the WCBSN in helping to achieve more effective organizations. Just fewer than half the WD key informants indicated the network, particularly the meetings, had some impacts, mostly with respect to information exchange. Some respondents state that the Pan West All Partners Meetings have helped to lessen tension among the groups, thereby setting the stage for strengthened relationships. Some network members also noted variation in the network's effectiveness across regions and communities. Among the supporters, one respondent expressed that the network was useful for giving members a chance to see "the big picture" and provide a "global view of operations."
Stakeholder key informants and focus group participants were not sufficiently aware of the WCBSN to comment on its effectiveness. Focus group participants, however, cited some examples of collaboration. For example, Manitoba focus group participants noted that CFDCs and WEI have shared training, financing and special events. There were also noted good linkages between FEDOs and CFDCs in this region.
Where key informants questioned the effectiveness of the network, some respondents felt that the network was not sufficiently cohesive ("at best it is a loose alliance") to realize impacts. According to these key informants, network members do not "buy in" to the concept of the WCBSN nor do they perceive themselves as part of that network. Some key informants also suggest that meetings/activities need to be structured around network members' needs in order to sufficiently improve impacts.