About evaluation of aid

Evaluations are systematic assessments of planned, ongoing, or completed measures or strategies. Evaluations can take many different forms and answer various questions, but must always follow strict quality standards and methodological requirements.

Tender notice
Evaluation follow-up Manuals and reference documents Evaluation methods Different types of evaluation Conducting evaluation Basic principles

The Independent Evaluation Department of Norwegian Development Cooperation is mandated to initiate and conduct independent evaluations of all activities financed through Norway’s development assistance budget. Operating under a distinct mandate, the department reports directly to the Secretary Generals of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The department is an independent department located in Norec. Our task is to provide impartial assessments that hold Norway’s development actors accountable and improve the quality and results of Norwegian development cooperation.  

Our mandate 

The evaluation work should contribute to knowledge-based learning and accountability and document whether the assistance is effective, relevant and achieving the expected results. 

The task is regulated through separate  instructions for the evaluation of Norwegian development cooperation. 

The work is based on the guidelines for evaluation in  the Regulations for Financial Management in the State  and  in the OECD’s Development Committee . 

 

Our 2025 mandate requires us to: 

  • Evaluate all activities linked to the management of Norway’s development assistance budget. 
  • Focus on strategies, thematic priorities, and how aid is organized and delivered, systemically beyond individual projects. 
  • Ensure evaluations reflect independence, high quality, and usefulness for decision-making. 
  • Make all reports and follow-up plans publicly available. 
  • Follow the Norwegian state’s financial regulations and international standards, including those of the OECD/DAC. 

The instructions give the Evaluation Department the authority to evaluate any activity financed from the Norwegian development assistance budget. This means that the department is free to decide what to evaluate, what questions to ask, and how the evaluation is to be conducted. This applies regardless of who manages the assistance, whether it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Climate and Environment, foreign missions, subordinate agencies, or civil society organizations. 

Our approach 

  • Independence: We choose what to evaluate and conduct evaluations without interference. 
  • Credibility: We use recognized scientific methods and evaluation standards. 
  • Transparency: All reports and follow-up plans are published. 
  • Ethical integrity: We apply the do no harm principle and report any illegal findings. 
  • Inclusive participation: We involve relevant stakeholders, including partners. 

Commitment to transparency and learning 

All our evaluations are publicly available, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and fostering an open dialogue on the effectiveness of development cooperation. By systematically analyzing and sharing findings, we aim to contribute to the continuous improvement of Norway’s development policies and practices. 

Governance & Reporting 

  • The Independent Evaluation Department decides what will be evaluated. 
  • Evaluations and recommendations are submitted to the ministries. 
  • Ministries must respond in writing within 8 weeks and oversee follow-up. 
  • All reports are published and shared with stakeholders and the public 

Evaluations can be either centralized or decentralized. Centralized evaluations are initiated by the evaluation department, are independent, and must follow strict methodological standards to assess results. Decentralized evaluations are conducted by those responsible for specific projects or measures. 

The work of the Evaluation Department is based on evaluation and social science methods and follows  its own criteria for aid evaluation determined by the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) . The goal of the evaluations is to contribute to the improvement of measures and strategies, and to hold those who manage aid accountable. 

Evaluation involves assessing not only the correct implementation of measures and the achievement of planned outcomes, but also the appropriateness of the actions taken and their overall impact. 

Common questions addressed during evaluations include: 

Relevance: To what extent is the aid aligned with recipients’ needs or relevant policy objectives? 

Coherence: How effectively is the intervention integrated within its broader environment? 

Effectiveness: Have the objectives established for the measure been met? 

Cost-effectiveness: Does the aid deliver value commensurate with the investment? 

Impact: What outcomes—both positive and negative—have resulted from the measure? 

Sustainability: Is there sufficient evidence to suggest that the benefits of the intervention will be maintained over time, even after support concludes?

Tender notice

All regular evaluations are put out for international tender. The tenders are advertised on:

For certain types of studies of smaller scope, we choose limited advertisement to save resources. The Evaluation Department sends out tender notifications to interested parties when an evaluation is put out for tender. If you wish to receive such notifications, send an email to the Evaluation Department. You can also subscribe to the department’s newsletter.