Institutionalisation of Evaluation

The project promotes the development of evaluation capacities at state evaluation units in the region together with the Costa Rican planning ministry Mideplan.

Evaluation is intended to make political action more transparent and promote accountability. The project therefore supports efforts to involve civil society actors in evaluation processes – through introductory courses and information on inclusive and gender-sensitive evaluation approaches, as well as through workshops and advisory services.

To create a favorable social environment for evaluation and thus therefore contribute towards SDG 17 ‘Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalizeise the global partnership for sustainable development’, the project promotes the exchange and cooperation between evaluation performers. The project follows the principle of the multi-actor platform, which was established as a national platform in Costa Rica together with the Foceval project.

In partnership with Voluntary Organizationisations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs), EvalConnect co-develops modern, engaging, and practice-oriented curricula tailored to national needs. A flagship example is our collaboration with the Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA) on an innovative e-learning course in Evaluation Management. This course equips professionals with hands-on skills in evaluation design, implementation, and use— – through interactive case studies, group problem-solving, and real-world application. The course benefits from South-South-North learning, building on a similar course existing at FLACSO University in Latin America.

Sustainable evaluation systems require more than just technical skills— – they need trainers who can teach, inspire, and adapt. That’s why EvalConnect is investing in a modular, hybrid Training of Trainers (ToT) course designed especially for VOPEs and national institutions. Many evaluation professionals have deep subject matter expertise but lack the pedagogical skills to transfer that knowledge effectively. Our ToT programme bridges that gap. The first edition of the ToT will be piloted in Mongolia with the Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA). The hybrid format blends the accessibility of virtual learning with the depth and richness of in-person facilitation. By empowering local trainers with both content knowledge and adult education techniques, EvalConnect builds a multiplier effect— – ensuring evaluation know-how is spread, deepened, and sustained within national systems.