Publications

In this report, we document the extent to which recommendations from DEval's evaluations are shared and then implemented by the organisations addressed. We also analyse factors that can influence the implementation of recommendations. This second synthesis report analyses experience gained in the implementation of recommendations from ten DEval evaluations that were completed between 2019 and 2022 and were the subject of implementation monitoring between 2022 and early 2025. The results are combined with the findings of an initial synthesis of implementation monitoring, which was published in 2023 and also analyses ten evaluations.

• DEval (2025), Implementation of Recommendations from DEval Evaluations. Second Synthesis of the Implementation Monitoring of DEval Evaluation Recommendations (2019 – 2022), German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21871394.

Access to food is a fundamental human right that applies to everyone everywhere. However, vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by human rights violations, including those relating to their right to food. This paper presents findings of the effects of information, capacity strengthening and behaviour change (ICSBC) interventions on food security and nutrition outcomes among vulnerable groups in sub-Saharan Africa. The specific groups considered were women, children and youth, people with disabilities, older adults, indigenous people, displacement-affected populations and less educated populations. We argue that to realise the right to food for vulnerable populations, development practitioners must address other fundamental human rights that are connected to the right to food, including land rights, access to resources, and legal and social equality. Overall, this discussion paper demonstrates the interdependence of human rights.

• Coogan, C., A. Sting and C. Römling (2026), The Effectiveness of Capacity Strengthening Interventions on Food Security and Nutrition for Vulnerable Populations, DEval Discussion Paper 3/2026, German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20310175.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports migrants who have returned to their countries of origin in order for them to gain economic and social stability. The aim is to ensure that returning results in sustainable reintegration. The German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) examined the efficacy of the BMZ’s measures between 2017 and 2023. This policy brief presents key results and recommendations of the evaluation.

• Bruder, M., J. Erler and F. Leßke (2026), Reintegrating Returnees in Their Countries of Origin: Fundamental Adjustments Recommended, DEval Policy Brief 1/2026, German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn.

Es ist notwendig, die staatliche Verwaltung zu modernisieren, um die großen aktuellen und zukünftigen Herausforderungen zu bewältigen – vom demografischen Wandel über Klima- und Umweltschutz, Digitalisierung bis hin zu internationalen Krisen. Neben schlankeren (digitalisierten) Prozessen und schnelleren Entscheidungen gilt eine stärkere Wirkungsorientierung staatlichen Handelns als Kernelement der Staatsmodernisierung. Dies bedeutet: Politische Entscheidungen sollen auf der Basis gesicherter Erkenntnisse darüber getroffen werden, welche Maßnahmen wirken und warum sie wirken. Evaluierungen können diese Erkenntnisse liefern. Insgesamt verfügt Deutschland gegenwärtig nur in Ansätzen über ein institutionalisiertes politikfeldübergreifendes Evaluierungssystem, das staatliche Maßnahmen systematisch bewertet und damit die Wirkungsorientierung staatlichen Handelns befördert. Im Rahmen einer umfassenden Staatsmodernisierung sollte daher die Evaluierung institutionalisiert werden.

• Faust, J., S. Klier, H. Steckhan, A. von Werthern und J. Vajen (2026), Evaluierung und Staatsmodernisierung in Deutschland, DEval Policy Brief 2/2026, Deutsches Evaluierungsinstitut der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (DEval), Bonn.

Systematic assessments of national evaluation systems (NESs) have been published at irregular intervals for almost 25 years. In an era in which the efficient use of evidence for political decisions is more important than ever, these assessments are very valuable since they help national governments and international development partners to identify areas for improving demand, supply and use of evaluation evidence in national decision-making processes. This discussion paper aims to systematically compare these works, including a new approach on measuring NESs – the National Evaluation Capacities Index (INCE) – on the basis of six criteria. INCE has been adopted in 11 countries across Latin America and is increasingly implemented in other regions across the globe.

• Klier, S. and J. Sanz (2026), National Evaluation Systems Under Review: Comparing Existing Assessment Tools and Introducing the National Evaluation Capacities Index (INCE), DEval Discussion Paper 2/2026, German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19693722.

The research and advisory project aimed to contribute to developing an integrated system for monitoring, evaluation and management in bilateral official development cooperation. In an integrated system, monitoring and evaluation provide information on the achievement of objectives at module, development cooperation programme and country level, enabling adjustments that can increase the effectiveness of German development cooperation. The project involved analysing scientific findings and good practice examples from both international and German development cooperation and developing possible solutions.

• Wolf. K., C. Grywatz, S. Knoll, I. Walsch and M. Bruder (2026), Developing an Integrated System for Monitoring, Evaluation and Management, DEval Discussion Paper 1/2026, German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20310589.