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Evaluation

Evaluation is commonly understood as the ‘systematic and objective assessment of a planned, ongoing or completed intervention, its design, implementation and results’ (OECD DAC, 2023). Within the EC, evaluation is used to assess the performance of a strategy, policy, instrument, modality, intervention or group of interventions.

Evaluation is integral to the intervention cycle and its management, providing key inputs and information at all phases of the cycle. By providing evidence of what works and what does not (and under what circumstances), evaluation helps improve engagement with partners; enhances the impact of EU development cooperation; and is critical to better programming of subsequent interventions, political dialogue and visibility of results. The benefits of the knowledge generated through evaluation extend beyond the commissioning unit or delegation to be a source of institutional learning and living memory now and in the future. A good evaluation supports better decision-making for better outcomes.

Evaluation types and timing

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