Evaluation systems in development aid agencies: an analysis of DAC peer reviews 1996-2004

The search for increased effectiveness of development aid and improved accountability mechanisms has led donors to place more emphasis on evaluation as the tool to discern what works, when and why in development assistance. Yet, as the attention to evaluation grows, an analysis of the evolution of evaluation systems and their adaptation to new demands has yet to be carried out. This article attempts to address this issue. By drawing mainly on data contained in the peer reviews of the development cooperation programmes of the members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), this article discusses some of the challenges aid agencies' evaluation systems are currently facing, in terms of new demands and increasing pressures; capacity constraints; use of evaluation results; institutional position within the aid agency; and relationships to internal and external stakeholders and constituencies.