Joint evaluations coming of age? The quality and future scope of joint evaluations

This is the seventh ALNAP meta-evaluation of evaluations of humanitarian action. The sector is on a steep learning curve in terms of how to do joint evaluations, including how best to manage and organise them, when they are appropriate, and with whom. This is accompanied by an active debate about the pros and cons of joint evaluations and how they relate to single-agency evaluations – for example, can they replace them? The current meta-evaluation focuses on recent joint evaluations of humanitarian action and ways to strengthen future joint evaluations. The specific objectives of this year’s meta-evaluation are:

1. to review the quality of joint-evaluation exercises, where possible comparing this with the quality of past single-agency evaluations;
2. to document in an accessible way some of the learning from the growing experience of joint evaluations – especially examples of good practice – to feed into future joint endeavours; and
3. to make a significant contribution to the nascent body of knowledge about joint evaluations.