Key points - Sphere Evaluation

Key points emerging from the Sphere Project External Evaluation
(Chart prepared by the Sphere Office based on the external Evaluation Final Report)

Conclusions	Recommendations	Ongoing and potential activities to respond to these points
	Develop and use distance learning methods to help spread Sphere effectively.	Can be considered as an activity to be supported by a potential future form of Sphere.
The project is better known for technical content than for the Humanitarian Charter. Some donors focus on this too, while ‘opting out’ of the rights based approach.	The Sphere Project has taken a first step towards firmly establishing the centrality of human rights in emergency relief. It may be time to take the next step. Sphere should host a meeting to reassert the centrality of the Humanitarian Charter (HC)and update it to be consistent with and relevant to current global realities.	Could be addressed by a potential future form of Sphere.
	Strong advocacy is required at field level to reaffirm the importance of the HC. Efforts should also be made to resolve the differences between NGOs and donors regarding the rights based approach (see previous recommendation).	This can be addressed through current country level piloting work and other Sphere related activities at field level. It should be considered in developing activities for a potential future form of Sphere, with a stronger focus at national level.
There is sometimes confusion around the use of the terms ‘standards’ and indicators. While the handbook is clear, more needs to be done to ensure these terms are used correctly in a range of fora.		Continue to monitor as far as possible for the correct use of the terms.
Field workers, especially national staff, are less well informed than headquarters staff.	All participating agencies, particularly international ones, need to discuss the importance of Sphere in their fieldwork. This means not only focusing on meeting standards, but also serving as ‘ambassadors’ for a rights based approach.	Learn lessons from country level piloting work about effective ways of promoting Sphere at field level, and use this to inform activities of a potential future form of Sphere.
Sphere standards are being used for the transitional stage from relief to development, and also in some development programmes.	Sphere should use its influence and expertise to promote the production of a Sphere-like handbook of standards and indicators for post-conflict and rehabilitation work.	Could be addressed by a potential future form of Sphere.
Indicators are difficult to attain in many settings, especially where funding is inadequate.	The relationship between NGOs and donors in relation to a rights-based approach needs to be further defined.	Could be addressed by a potential future form of Sphere.