Are Sida Evaluations Good Enough? - An Assessment of 34 Evaluation Reports

Evaluations are ‘reality tests’ of aid efforts and strategies intended to be used in support of accountability, decision-making and learning. In development co-operation today, there is increased demand for evidence-based results information and greater emphasis on results-based management. The purpose of this study is to contribute to ongoing efforts by Sida’s Department for Evaluation (UTV) and Sida as a whole to improve the quality of Sida evaluations.

The study is based on a close reading of 34 evaluation reports published in the Sida Evaluations series between 2003 and 2005. All the reports were produced by Sida’s line departments and the Swedish embassies in countries where Sida is involved, and most of them focus on individual projects and programmes. UTV evaluations, which are usually concerned with wider issues, were deliberately excluded from the study.