The Ngaanyatjarra Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) covers a broad range of strategies and issues for Ngaanyatjarra people. Agreement has been reached on the need to improve services, reduce bureaucratic red tape, develop a 20-30 year vision, develop an investment plan for the area and establish meaningful representative arrangements.

Included in the RPA is:

• funding to establish a committee of Ngaanyatjarra people to liaise with government
• the establishment of a central government contact point for Ngaanyatjarra people, instead of individual agencies
• improved access to municipal services, including housing and power.

The Desert Knowledge CRC, together with the Ngaanyatjarra Council and other partners, has developed the evaluation framework for this RPA. This framework sets the standard for RPA evaluation approaches and helps to measure the success of RPAs. The work of the Desert Knowledge CRC and the Ngaanyatjarra Council has contributed to a better understanding of the value of Regional Partnership Agreements. The organisations involved in evaluating the RPA framework have found that RPAs should have fewer, more focused indicators, with an emphasis on partnerships.

The Desert Knowledge CRC has decided to make this evaluation framework public so that organisations developing RPAs have the benefit of this work. Other organisations wishing to evaluate their RPAs are encouraged to contemplate this framework and to contact the Desert Knowledge CRC if they require assistance, guidance or support in this process. We would appreciate acknowledgement in any use of the agreement.

The Desert Knowledge CRC asks that the evaluation framework be used with the intention in which it was distributed only, with respect for all those involved.