The institute maximises the use of national structures in this context. For example, it involves national evaluation companies and works with local universities. DEval systematically incorporates national experts into its work and provides them with specialist support and training as required.

Systems theory has been widely applied in capacity development (e.g., Fisher, 2010; Morgan, 2005) and evaluation (e.g., Hummelbrunner et al., 2015; Reynolds et al., 2016; Williams & Imam, 2006). Numerous studies have highlighted its potential in the ECD context (Krapp & Geuder-Jilg, 2018; Ortiz Aragón & Macedo, 2010; Stockmann, 2018). However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the systematic embedding of ECD work within systems theory.

At DEval, we have addressed this gap by providing the first theoretical account of how ECD activities and programme components can be anchored in systems theory. This is illustrated through practical examples from our work, as published in an academic article.

The article demonstrates how ECD practitioners can use systems theory as a conceptual tool to better understand the functional aspects and interrelationships within an evaluation system. This perspective can elucidate the reasons behind the success or failure of ECD programmes or activities.

Applying systemic approaches to ECD offers numerous benefits. Firstly, systemic ECD practitioners are integral parts of the systems they work with, acknowledging their perspective as one among many and relying on diverse viewpoints to enhance their work. This approach ensures that all actors have space for participation and to express their expertise, allowing practitioners to contribute their evaluation expertise while learning from the system as a whole. Secondly, systemic ECD recognises that ownership is distributed among various actors within the national evaluation system, supporting system operations with flexibility and self-determination instead of rigidly focusing on goals and results. This holistic approach strengthens the entire evaluation system, promoting sustainability and good governance. Thirdly, systems theory provides an analytical lens to identify key leverage points within an evaluation system, offering insights into the success or failure of ECD programmes, which can inform better programme design.

To motivate ECD practitioners to integrate systems theory into their work, the article presents a systems theory framework for ECD and offers practical examples of its adoption. A debrief of the article’s content is provided in the following illustrations, explaining what an evaluation system is, their characteristics, as well as how to use them to strengthen national evaluation systems.