DESIGN OF AN EVALUATION GRID FOR COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC POLICY NETWORKS

Institutional collaborative networks are a central phenomenon in improving democratic governance. This study aims to design and validate an evaluation grid based on the perceptions of actors who participate in such networks, in order to assess their efficiency and overall performance. The methodological approach is grounded in the key informant technique, combining in-depth interviews, a semi-structured questionnaire, document analysis, and participant observation. Over ten networks were initially contacted, and three institutional networks with a consolidated trajectory and stable operation were selected for deeper inquiry. Data was gathered through the most representative stakeholders.The qualitative analysis allowed for the identification of common patterns and evaluation dimensions such as legitimacy, internal collaboration, adaptability, communication quality, and goal fulfillment. The resulting grid provides a replicable and context-sensitive tool to be used across diverse institutional environments, while respecting the specificities of collaborative work. This instrument may prove highly useful for public agencies, universities, and inter-institutional networks aiming to enhance their evaluation practices, organizational learning processes, and strategic coordination.