In 2015-2016, the Start Network implemented three Collaborative Responses as part of its Start Response workstream, to enable agencies to respond in a coordinated way to large-scale crises:
- Central African Republic Refugees in Cameroon Response (Cameroon)
- West Africa Ebola Preparedness Programme (Ebola)
- European Refugee Response (ERR)
As part of the external monitoring, evaluation and learning services, independent external evaluations of all three Collaborative Responses were conducted. One of the recommendations from the Cameroon Response evaluation was that "Start Network should commission a meta-evaluation of the Start Network collaborative responses, which should look into common successes and areas for improvement of each of the collaborative responses." This meta-review was subsequently conducted by an independent analyst based at Action Against Hunger UK, who presented the findings to the Start team on October 4th, 2016.
Overall, the Responses met objectives with regard to project effectiveness, efficiency, adaptability and relevance. Areas for continued improvement include decentralisation/localisation, value-for-money and inter-agency collaboration. While the projects largely achieved their desired results and were successfully implemented, there were limited examples of collaboration fostered by the Start Response framework or value-added due to the collaborative approach. The main conclusion of the meta-review is that while Start served as an effective broker between DFID and the implementing agencies, it may need to consider having a stronger presence throughout programme implementation in order to more fully achieve the objectives of a future Collaborative Response.