GEI Partnership Council Marks 4-Year Milestone by Reaffirming Commitment to Strengthening M&E Systems

The Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI) is entering its fifth year of implementation. To mark the milestone, the GEI Partnership Council convened on December 6, 2024 at the headquarters of the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome.

The Council, which is made up of GEI’s donors, was also attended by the directors of the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA) and the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Francophone Africa (CLEAR-FA) and a member of GEI’s external evaluation team.

The Council discussed GEI’s January-July 2024 Progress Report and reflected on the achievements of the past four years including support for over 34 countries in strengthening national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, training nearly 18,000 individuals, and organizing 1,600 knowledge-sharing events. 

During her opening remarks, Sabine Bernabè, Council Chair and Director General of the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank Group, reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to GEI and pledged continued support in the coming years. 

“Evaluation capacity development is one of my three strategic priorities for IEG along with strengthening our assessment of impacts and embracing new data and technology,” said Ms. Bernabè. “IEG remains committed to the GEI and to strengthening it and scaling it up to achieve greater impact in the coming years.” 

The Council supported the idea of continuing to grow GEI into a global knowledge hub that combines global and regional insights to offer tailored solutions to country needs. Donors agreed on the importance of country-led evaluations, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda. The Council considered the establishment of a senior evaluation expert group to provide thought leadership and discussed the need for a new funding model aimed at anchoring GEI in the good governance agenda while exploring alternative funding sources to reduce its reliance on traditional donors. 

"In a world facing complex development challenges, increased volatility, tighter budgets, our joint commitment to the aims of the GEI partnership is more crucial than ever,” said Ms. Bernabè. “I can't imagine a world where we don't invest in evaluation capacity development, and I can't imagine a world where any of us are trying to do this alone.” 

Isabelle Mercier, Council Co-chair and Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Independent Evaluation Office, closed the meeting by emphasizing the importance of integrating lessons learned. 

"I see a future GEI that’s learned from its experience over the last four years and is ready to continue its path of being the global center of expertise, credible methods, rigor, and excellence when it comes to evaluation capacity building. GEI is a unique platform in the world," said Ms. Mercier. "One that pools expertise and resources and tools from the most respected evaluation functions and regional centers from across the globe. It’s essential that we recognize that in ourselves and we recognize the value that we could potentially offer the world."