Evaluation methodological approach

The EU has developed and formalised a methodology for evaluating its external assistance in which priority is given to results and impacts. This page presents the methodological guidelines designed to facilitate the move towards an evaluation practice focused on programmes and strategies in EC Development Cooperation.

1. This first chapter presents the methodological bases of the evaluation approach:

 Methodological bases or what, when and why to evaluate and who is a part of the evaluation:

Subject, timing of the evaluation and intervention cycle, utilisation and roles, as well as specificity of the evaluation compared to monitoring and auditing are described in details.

 Evaluation methods or how to evaluate

Intervention strategy, evaluation questions, judgement references, methodological design, data collection, analysis, judgement and quality assurance are presented and explained.

 Evaluation tools

The rationale and the use of each evaluation tool are systematically presented.

The second and third chapters of these guidelines contain respectively:

1. The detailed guidelines for Project and programme evaluations
2. The detailed guidelines for Geographic, thematic and other evaluation

The way development aid is provided is constantly evolving. To reflect this changing context, DEVCO develops specific methodological tools, often in cooperation with international institutions such as the OECD and the World Bank.

In this context, three specific methodological approaches to evaluate budget support programmes, capacity development interventions and gender as a cross cutting issue have been developed:

• Budget Support Evaluation Guidelines
• Capacity development evaluation guidelines
• Guidance on the evaluation of gender as a cross-cutting dimension