Aims: EVALSDGs seeks to: promote evaluation activities around the SDGs and orient and support the review and follow-up process on the SDG Agenda2030 by adding value through evaluation.

Objectives engage with the enabling environment for evaluation relevant to the SDGs provide a platform for dialogue, advocacy and knowledge generation in relation to evaluation and the SDGs assist in strengthening the institutional capacities of evaluators to conduct evaluations in support of SDG implementation and review processes Support national initiatives to build evaluation initiatives in relation to national planning and SDGs implementation. foster inter-linkages and interaction between initiatives to strengthen evaluation and implement and review the SDGs.

Accomplishments Nov 2015-May 2016 Regular monthly online global meetings (over 100 members in 41 countries – varying levels of engagement) Formation of four active working groups Management group – overall planning and organisation Guidance/training group – evaluation community and national government evaluation capacity development Advocacy briefs group – publications and advocacy opportunities for evaluation and the SDGs Case studies/spotlights group – capture of experiences and good practice in evaluation related to the SDGs

Recent initiatives: June – August 2016 Translation of EVALSDGs into 9 different languages Publication of 2 Briefs on Evaluation and the SDGs with International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). EVALSDGs website is under design; will be linked to EvalPartners website upgrade; supported by UNEG Side event at the High Level Political Forum meetings for review and follow-up of the SDGs. Partnership with UNDP. Attended by over 80 participants. Acceptance of 6 conference papers by EVALSDGs members, ranging from panels, workshops and papers promoting evaluation and the SDGs.

Emerging outcomes Increasing awareness - through briefings and presentations (within the evaluation sector of the SDGs and within Government and Civil society of the important role of evaluation in the SDGs) Increasing recognition of EVALSDGs as a network group Mutual learning and relationships amongst members EVALSDGs/IIEDs Briefing paper No1 was IIED’s highest downloaded paper at time its release. Engagement of countries that are willing to participate in the “Spotlights” project Promotion of the need for governments to establish national evaluation systems for the SDGs Support to stronger gender and equity focus Requests for evaluation capacity development in relation to evaluation and the SDGs e.g. Nepal forum, Consultation in Rome on evaluation of SDG2, Measure What Matters Forum, Civicus forum.

EVALSDGs – How to get involved? At the global level Join the mailing list and receive notification of activities Join a face to face meeting at the European Evaluation Association Conference this September – to workshop the roadmap for 2017 Join one of the four working groups Sponsor/support specific working group activities At national level Encourage connection between the national VOPE and national Government, Parliamentarians and other stakeholder to promote evaluation and the SDGs Arrange a training session for evaluator community on evaluation and the SDGs. Make sure a national VOPE member is on the participation list for national SDGs initiatives. Please keep EVALSDGs informed of national activities