2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Accomplishments Nov 2015-May 2016
Regular monthly online global meetings (over 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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