Awareness and Communication Strategy CHAPTER 12. MONITORING THE STRATEGY 12.1 Monitoring and evaluation A detailed Monitoring and evaluation framework is included in the Implementation Toolkit for the Strategy to guide the implementers of this Strategy. Evaluating the effective of this strategy will focus on assessing if the message has been heard, understood and acted upon. Feedback will be obtained through surveys and observations of behavioural change. The monitoring and evaluation results will inform the future development of implementation plans. Each implementation plan developed on the basis of this strategy will contain a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan. The Implementation Toolkit has a comprehensive list of indicators that should be included in the implementation plan. At strategic objective level the monitoring and evaluation plan will work with the following indicators: Performance area The IWRM Approach Regional cooperation on water What to measure  Understanding of the IWRM approach;  Understanding that fresh water as a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment;  Understanding of stakeholder participation in water resources development and management among users, planners and policymakers at all levels;  Understanding of the role and participation of women in decision making and in the provision, utilization, management and safeguarding of water  Recognition that water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be treated as an economic and social good.  Understanding and use of regional instruments  Participation levels in the development and implementation of the regional initiatives and instruments. Page 52