Independent Evaluation

This paper provides a synthesis of lessons from evaluations of public financial management (PFM) support by ADB, other multilateral development banks, and the International Monetary Fund, as well as lessons from research and analysis by other international organizations such as the World Health Organization. It draws upon experience from past crises, and from previous budget support operations targeted at medium-term PFM reforms, emphasizing the lessons they offer.

2020 witnessed unprecedented scientific progress in developing a vaccine to control the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  This has led to the development of a range of effective vaccines spanning from traditional formulations to new ones, such as the novel mRNA or DNA-based vaccines.  Many international organizations have committed their support to ensuring that the vaccines are deployed and administered as quickly as possible across the globe. 

This synthesis paper aims to summarize, synthesize, and integrate research findings and lessons from evaluations of ADB’s two decades of experience supporting social assistance initiatives. It aims to inform the design and implementation of similar interventions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic period, and IED’s ongoing and future evaluations.

This video highlights the role of independent evaluation as a tool that supports both accountability and learning. It also endeavors to understand what works, what doesn’t and why to increase the effectiveness of development assistance.

Jan Willem van der Kaaij and Sabine Bernabè of the Operations Evaluation Unit of the European Investment Bank (EIB) talks about how the EU and EIB are responding to the coronavirus crisis.

Charles Collyns of the Office of Evaluation and Oversight at the IMF and Jose Deras of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration discuss early COVID-19 pandemic evaluation lessons for countries and development institutions.

Carefully evaluating development projects, and learning from success and challenges of past efforts, is more important than ever as governments fight COVID-19.

The COVID-19 crisis has taught us that robust and credible monitoring and evaluation systems are vital to ensure development projects and programs improve the lives of people most in need.