“MEVA” is an expert-research program initiated in 2005. The primary purpose is to carry out regular analytic research in order to maximize the effectiveness of other PAFF programs. The methods developed under the program and the results of its analyses are also used by other NGOs to pursue their activities.
The analytical work aids the process of determining the extent to which the goals defined in PAFF programs and activities, as well as achieved results, meet the existing needs and are capable of resolving the problems, especially with regard to local communities, equal education opportunities and overall education quality improvement.
Evaluation research of PAFF programs, such as "Act Locally”, "Third Age Universities", or "PAFF and UW School of Education", helps the Foundation to both determine future program initiatives and modify the existing ones. One of the tasks of "MEVA” is to monitor completed PAFF projects in terms of the durability of their outcomes.
PAFF’s potential actions are evaluated in the context of existing and expected social needs. To that end, selected social groups and communities are studied – for example village youth, librarians, or NGO employees – and new initiatives are tested. An example is the study on key trends influencing social activities in villages and small towns and their impact on the role of a local leader, carried out in 2019 under the “PAFF Leaders” Program. Another example is the analysis of the Library Development Program’s impact on its participants, which compared program libraries with the libraries and communities that did not participate in the program. In 2020, certain analyses and evaluations (including "Act Locally" and the Library Development Program) have been aimed at identifying the problems organizations faced during the pandemic, so as to adjust programmatic actions to the changing conditions. An analysis was also carried out to assess the possibilities for PAFF and cooperating institutions to join local community educational and animation activities aimed at protecting the environment and climate. The program also led to the establishment of a working Digital Challenges Group whose secretariat is situated at the Information Society Development Foundation. The Group brings together representatives of PAFF Programs Managers to support knowledge and experience exchange between its members, i.e. experts and NGOs. The purpose of this exchange is to better understand the threats (e.g. disinformation) and opportunities (e.g. educational) arising from the constant development of digital technologies and the resulting changes in the functioning of societies. The Group will focus on research directed at bridging the gaps in NGOs’ understanding of digital challenges. Research results are meant to support further development of the Group’s members as well as to become an open source of knowledge for individuals and institutions from outside the Group.
As part of the “MEVA” Program, mutually complementing and strengthening elements of PAFF programs are analyzed in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of the Foundation’s activities overall. Among the projects serving that aim is the “Squared Evaluation” initiative helping foster evaluation culture among the organizations closely cooperating with PAFF, part of which the “Evaluation – How do You Carry It out?” guide was prepared. Cyclical seminars about evaluation research are also being held. Special among these is the “Impact on Social Capital in PAFF Communities” project (the so-called "BOX”) that helped create and test out a set of methods and research techniques enabling the determination of changes in the social capital level resulting from the impact of Foundation programs on local communities.
Through "MEVA", PAFF supports the „Shipyard" Foundation (which it co-founded). At the same time, the Shipyard Foundation is the manager of a significant part of the “MEVA” Program itself.
The Foundation has disbursed $2,640,180, including $205,887 for the current edition of the program.
