Our Evaluations

The objective is to develop and pilot a format for evaluating the engagement of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in partner countries. Country portfolio evaluations are to be conducted in future on a regular basis to address the existing evidence gap in bilateral development cooperation, and to help improve accountability and steering and promote institutional learning.

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.