Our Evaluations

Protected areas, such as biosphere reserves and national parks, are geographically defined areas created to conserve biodiversity and healthy ecosystems across the globe. At the same time, the establishment of these areas often goes hand in hand with restrictions on their use, which can negatively impact the socio-economic development of local communities. In its bilateral support for protected areas, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, BMZ) aims to conserve biodiversity and at the same time promote opportunities for sustainable development. In this context, the German Institute for Development Evaluation evaluated the support that the BMZ provided to protected areas between 2016 and 2021, focussing especially on the integration of both conservation and socio-economic development aims. The evaluation concluded in November 2024.

Given widespread, rapid, and intensifying climate change, an effective contribution of development cooperation to climate change mitigation in the countries of the Global South is increasingly relevant. To equip decision makers within German and international development cooperation with relevant guidance, DEval is continuing its work in the field of climate change by conducting a macro-quantitative study on climate change mitigation.

The evaluation of adaptation interventions in the sectors of agriculture, water and coastal protection is part of the DEval evaluation of climate change adaptation interventions. The object of investigation here is interventions in the area of ecosystem-based approaches, infrastructure, technological options, institutional and regulatory framework conditions and approaches to behavioural changes and social transformation. This part of the evaluation focuses on the effectiveness, impact and sustainability of adaptation interventions.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in the history of mankind. The global consequences of climate change jeopardise the preservation and development of natural and human livelihoods. The poorest countries are particularly affected by the negative impacts of climate change. When it comes to dealing with the impacts of climate change, adaptation plays a key role. Against this background, German development cooperation supports developing countries and emerging economies by adapting to climate change. The German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) evaluated the interventions for climate change adaptation in a modular evaluation.