Evaluation matters : The evaluation policy for European Union Development Co-operation

Evaluation matters. In an increasingly complex and challenging environment for international development, the importance of demonstrating our results and learning from experience has gained significant value. Evaluation is a key learning tool for the European Union to understand not only what works and what does not, but critically why, and under what circumstances. Evaluations generate knowledge and produce evidence which we use to improve the way we engage with our partners and enhance the impact of our development co-operation. As one of the world’s largest donors, the EU is a leading force in demonstrating the value of rigorous evaluation. The EU is committed to the “evaluation first” principle, using evaluation as a critical tool to inform its choices and decisions on the best available evidence in order to improve its strategies and practices.