Environmental Evaluation and Global Development Institutions

Evaluation is increasingly important for finding sustainable solutions for the people and the planet, based on a systematic analysis of what works, for whom, and under what circumstances, and to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as they pertain to the environment. This book explores why the Global Environment Facility (GEF) invests in evaluation for accountability and learning to inform its decision-making on programming priorities, and how this leads to wiser funding decisions and better program performance on the ground. The book is based on real-life experiences of how to make evaluation count for international environmental action. Drawing upon comprehensive evaluations of the GEF, it provides unique insights from authors responsible for designing, implementing, and disseminating the findings of the evaluations. No other multilateral development or environment agency places evaluation fully at the center of their decision-making. The book outlines the trends in the global environment and the changing landscape of international environmental finance. It defines the role of the GEF and explains its institutional framework and the unique partnership that involves donor and recipient countries, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and national agencies in the developing countries. Further, it provides useful pointers to other organizations wishing to enhance evidence-based decision-making for improving their relevance, performance, and impact. The book will be most suitable for graduate-level, specialized study in a variety of disciplines such as environmental and development economics, political science, international relations, geography, sociology, and social anthropology

Making M&E More ‘Impact?oriented’: Illustrations from the UN

In international development, impact evaluation (IE) is becoming more and more an institutionalised practice. This article starts out by addressing the question of what institutionalisation of IE means and how it could work. Subsequently, the article explores common challenges in monitoring and evaluation functions in the UN system related to the supply of (and to a lesser extent demand for) evidence on impact. Rather than looking for solutions to these challenges in the practice of IE, the article explores the issue of how to improve non?IE monitoring and evaluation practices. On the basis of the identified challenges three categories of solutions are discussed: improving the quality of impact?related evidence at activity and project level, strengthening the causal logic underlying interventions, and strengthening the aggregation and synthesis of evidence. Finally, the article presents some illustrative examples of the latter two categories of solutions

Fertility Transition and Socio-Economic Change in Western Kenya

This article attempts to analyze and explain the differences in fertility between the various regions of Kenya. Until recently, the country has experienced some of the highest fertility levels in the world, but lately the overall fertility has been declining fairly rapidly, especially in the central parts of the country. Kisii District in western Kenya has been selected for an in-depth analysis of the persistence of high fertility and its relationship with the socio-economic characteristics of the area. Demographic transition theory assumes that fertility transition is determined by the economic rationality of having children. This rationality is expressed in the direction of the intergenerational wealth flow, which, in traditional societies, is normally from the younger generation to the older, whereas the direction is reversed with economic development and Westernization. Of particular importance are the introduction of a monetary economy and the spread of education. The study finds fertility transition in process at different stages in the different regions of Kenya, depending on the particular socio-economic situation, but these differences are likely to even out in the future

Credibility and Independence of Evaluation in UNDP: A Response to David Lempert

The paper contains a response to the article by David Lempert on 'Why Government and Non-governmental Policies and Projects Fail Despite Evaluation' (JMDE, Vol. 6, No. 13, 2010). The paper focuses on the role of the evaluation function in public organizations, using the example of the United Nations Development Programme. It makes broader observations regarding the independence and credibility of evaluation. Finally, the role of evaluation in oversight is discussed

Adaptation to changing climate: promoting community-based approaches in the developing countries

Climate change is a reality, altbough its specific impacts in various parts of tbe world are unknown. In addition to tbe long-term effort of curbing greenbouse gas emissions, it is essential to be prepared for shorter-term changes. Adaptation to climate change will be a major challenge to vulnerable communities, especially in coastal areas and regions susceptible to climatic hazards, such as floods and drought. This article describes two innovative international initiatives designed to test and pilot approaches to community-based adaptation in developing countries. Their goal is to generate knowledge about how to achieve adaptation at tbe local level and ultimately to reduce community vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Emphasis is given to participatory approaches to planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation that promote tbe identification of successful strategies and learning from experience. In order to achieve sustainability and tbe replication of effective initiatives, it is essential to incorporate climate risk and disaster management into local development policies