Department for Evaluation Annual report 2022 - 2024: The Way Forward

After decades of progress in many key areas, we now see a world characterised by global crises linked to war, conflict and climate change affecting the poorest. How are Norwegian development aid funds being used to support those affected; are we achieving the results we planned for?

Evaluation is a vital tool for answering questions like this. Some of the defining characteristics of evaluations, which also set them apart from other approaches, are that they are based on accepted and credible ways of collecting data, that the assessments are independent, and that the recommendations are feasible.

The independent evaluation function in Norwegian development aid administration was established in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1977, before being transferred to Norad in 2004. Since then, the function has been performed by Norad’s Department for Evaluation - or EVAL, as we call ourselves.

Over the course of those 20 years, we have conducted more than 180 evaluations and studies. A list of these can be found at the back of the report. We have also contributed to the development of the evaluation function and the evaluation work both here in Norway and internationally, e.g., by actively participating in the evaluation network of OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.

With effect from January 2025, the independent evaluation function will be relocated to Førde. Norec will then take over administrative responsibility for the function that Norad has today.

The Government’s decision to relocate our workplace was a tough message to take for those of us who are affected. EVAL has built up strong and widely recognised expertise within the field of evaluation. We are proud of the function we have helped to develop and the evaluation work that we have performed.

Once the function is re-established in Førde, it will be vital to build on the solid foundations we have laid. We have worked continuously to further develop our evaluation work in line with international standards and global changes.

We have for example worked to ensure that our evaluation processes reflect the increasing complexity of development aid. Evaluations must be able to analyse the interaction between different sectors and see the role and effects of the development aid in a broader perspective. Evaluations of efforts aimed at climate and the environment are one example of evaluations that require such an approach. Another example is the so-called ‘Nexus approach’ to development aid, where the aim is to improve the interaction between humanitarian efforts, development cooperation and peace initiatives.

It should also be noted that we have worked to ensure that our evaluation work remains relevant, both thematically and timely. The pandemic revealed an increasing need for faster access to knowledge than traditional evaluations can offer. In crises, decisions must be made quickly, and then short evaluation processes may be needed to ensure that the knowledge can be applied rapidly. Impact assessments are one example of a methodical approach that can help to accelerate the use of available knowledge that EVAL has worked with over time but which we are still currently testing.

Once the form and content of the evaluation function in Førde have been determined, some lessons learned through past experiences can be passed on to the new organisation:

There is a need to work more holistically on evaluation within the development aid administration to ensure that the evaluations as a whole, not just individually, can contribute to better aid. This is not a job for EVAL alone. The understanding of, and responsibility for, evaluations must be strengthened throughout the entire development aid administration.

The financial independence of the evaluation function should be strengthened. It is not enough for the function to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment. In accordance with international guidelines, budget funding for the function should be earmarked through a specific budget line to ensure that the function receives the resources it needs to fulfil its remit, including adequate and stable numbers of employees.

Finally, we have not been good enough at including recipient countries in the evaluation process.

We will be passing the baton on soon. Some of us will be involved in a transitional period, while others have already found new challenges. Regardless of our personal circumstances, we wish the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Climate and Environment and Norec well in the relocation process.

However, we would first like to invite you to take a look at what we have produced over the last two years.

Enjoy!