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Evaluation

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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

Evaluations can be done for different purposes and at different times to assess what works/worked and why.

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For more information see sections 1.2 and 1.3 of the Evaluation Handbook.

Evaluation Planning

An evaluation can be planned and carried out at any time of the year in line with the needs of the delegations and headquarters units in the case of intervention-level evaluations, and on the basis of the multi-annual rolling Evaluation Work Programme for strategic evaluations. 

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For strategic evaluations, DG INTPA.D.4 – in consultation with all relevant headquarters units, delegations and the European External Action Service – prepares a multi-annual Evaluation Work Programme (EWP), which is approved by DG INTPA management. The EWP establishes the list of countries, regions, instruments, themes, modalities and policies that will be subject to strategic evaluation in the upcoming period.

Contracting

• Both strategic and intervention level evaluations are undertaken by independent evaluators which are primarily contracted via a Framework Contract. The Framework Contract SEA 2023 which entered into force on 13/02/2024 includes two lots specifically dedicated to evaluations, these are: 
  -    Lot 16 for Intervention level evaluations, including evaluations of budget support programmes launched by EU delegations. Dedicated ToR guidance is provided under point 2.3 of the SEA 2023 FWC IntraComm page
  -    Lot 17 for Strategic evaluations.

Methodological Support

• For methodological support throughout the evaluation cycle, from planning and designing, to conducting your evaluations, including its dissemination and follow-up, please contact our helpdesk for advice: INTPA-EVALUATION-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu (for internal staff)
• For DG INTPA staff on the Knowledge extracted from Monitoring and Evaluations, please contact INTPA D4: INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec aurelie.poinsot@ec.europa.eu

EU restricted - Training Managing an Evaluation Process  

Methdological fiche(s):

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Evaluation Methodology

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Evaluation Handbook