After 7 editions in 5 years - What is the new dynamics around the Francophone Emerging Evaluators Bootcamp?

Back in November 2021, the African Institute of Monitoring and Impact Evaluation (Le Barometre) gathered a pool of volunteers to launch the Francophone Emerging Evaluators Bootcamp. Five years on, a new dynamic is being in place: countries want to host the event, participants are coming from several African countries, facilitators are coming from Africa and Europe, three parallel classes are run, Le Barometre NGO was born, leading organizations are lending support to the initiative, and more over a recent evaluation of the journey so far suggest to make a bold step toward the "Francophone Emerging Evaluators Regional Bootcamp". This webinar is design to present the Bootcamp, share the story around its on-going development, its success - challenges and perspectives. We hope that this will inspire other who are wondering how to start, and at the time it will allow us find new supports to make possible the organization in 2026 of the first edition of the Africa Regional Evaluation Bootcamp.
A glance at the webinar is that the very first edition of Francophone Emerging Evaluators Bootcamp was organized in the city of Bohicon (Benin) with the General Directorate of Evaluation (Ministry of Development) and with very limited funding. Following its success, the 2nd edition of the event was hosted in the city of Dosso (Niger) with the High Commission for Niger State Modernization in the following year 2022. That same year a 3rd edition was organized with the Municipality of Grand-Popo in Benin. In 2023, the event started becoming more and more attractive in the region with a diversification of trainers, participants coming from more than 10 different countries, etc. Then, the 4th edition was hosted in the city of Kara in Togo and it was co-organized with the CLEAR-FA and the University of Kara. That same year, the city of Ketou in Benin hosted the 5th edition in partnership with the International Initiative of Impact Evaluation and the Municipality of Ketou. In 2024, in partnership with the ivorian national evaluations associations RI2E and RISE, Le Barometre organized the 6th edition in the city of Bingerville (Cote d'Ivoire). It was quite a successful event and the same year, faithful to the tradition Benin hosted the 7th edition in the city of Parakou with participants coming from more than 12 countries.
Being a witness of an initiative that was designed and thought by a nascent organization, and that has been growing since then, I hope this webinar will be a great experience sharing opportunity and open the avenue for new partnerships and bloom other innovative ideas.