Evaluations
The SDC uses evaluations to assess its projects and programmes and to take stock of thematic and institutional issues. The evaluations are conducted by independent experts and facilitate a systematic and objective external appraisal of strategic and operational aspects of international cooperation.
Evaluations assess to what extent the results of an intervention or strategy are consistent with its stated objectives. Evaluations foster learning, support decision-making for steering and offer accountability to policymakers and the general public.
Evaluations are conducted at three levels.
- Evaluation of country programmes, entire thematic sectors (for example climate change) and institutional aspects, which feed into strategic orientation and programme planning.
- Project evaluation to gain insight for the adaptation of ongoing projects or for the planning of new interventions.
- Evaluation of multilateral contributions by independent evaluation units, for example the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank.
The SDC’s evaluations are based on international criteria defined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The SDC also adheres to the guidelines and standards of the Swiss Evaluation Society (SEVAL).
The SDC participates in international expert networks for sharing evaluation practices and occasionally takes part in joint evaluations with other OECD countries.
Every year, the SDC commissions 80-100 external evaluations. These are published on the federal administration’s database (ARAMIS) and the Alexandria library network.
On behalf of the SDC’s senior management, the specialist service Evaluation and Controlling also conducts 2-3 independent thematic and institutional evaluations each year.
Links
Independent thematic and institutional evaluations conducted by the specialist service Evaluation and Controlling in the last five years
Other Links
- Development co-operation evaluation and effectiveness of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Evaluation Resource Centre (DereC) of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
- SDC evaluation reports in the Alexandria library
Documents
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern