Independent Magazine - Issue 7, 2023

PROJECT CLUSTER EVALUATIONS DISCUSSED AT gLOCAL 2023

Multiple lessons can be drawn from the implementation of project cluster evaluations (PCE). These include the possibility to learn across projects – something very much appreciated by evaluation stakeholders. Mikal Khan, Evaluation Officer at the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE), discussed this and other benefits of PCEs during a learning event organized under the auspices of the 2023 edition of the gLOCAL Evaluation Week, on 31 May 2023.

The Evaluation Week took place from 29 May to 2 June 2023, under the overarching theme: ‘The Future of M&E: Culture, Context, and Collaboration’. Titled ‘Project Cluster Evaluations – sharing lessons from AfDB, FAO, IFAD and UNODC’, the PCE learning event shared lessons on what defines a PCE in the evaluation offices of four multilateral organizations, and what lessons can be drawn so far from this type of product.

Evaluation experts from the African Development Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) joined Mr Khan for the session, which was moderated by Renata Mirulla, facilitator of the EvalForward Community of Practice. Event participants addressed four main issues during the event, namely what defines a cluster evaluation, the methodologies that can be used for cluster evaluations, the lessons that can be drawn from PCEs, and the future of PCEs.

Speaking at the event, Mr Khan explained that PCEs are an efficient way for IOE to increase evaluation coverage of IFAD projects, due to cost saving from covering multiple projects together. From a methodological perspective, PCEs are a combination of methods from project evaluation and evaluation syntheses. For example, reports include several tables comparing project aspects, such as their design and results while also assessing projects according to all evaluation criteria. PCEs go through the same quality assurance process as other IOE evaluations and are described in the IFAD Evaluation Manual.

PCEs also have their challenges, including those related to the synthesis and comparability of findings, and more complex logistical and administrative arrangements.

gLOCAL supports the exchange of M&E knowledge and experiences to promote evaluation capacity development, support evidence-based decision making, and strengthen development outcomes at a local and global level.