When habitual models of program evaluation are used unreflectively for the evaluation of community action programs, they can focus exclusively on administrative accountability. 1. This limitation of participation can be due to the latent ideologies exported as universal products. 2. Understanding the concrete acts performed underlines the concrete reality of the situation that the project aims to modify. 3. Scientific discourses can obscure the life experiences of the relatively powerless social sectors. 4. Ethical and political responsibilities demand that intervention plans be known, shared and accepted by all those who will have to live with the intended and unintended consequences of the attempted social change.
Community evaluation; participation; social action
