Evaluation Cooperation Group Presentation to the OECD DAC

Evaluation Cooperation Group Presentation to the OECD DAC Evaluation Network 31 March 2006

Who Are We? • ECG created in 1995 • Original Members: heads of evaluation departments of the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group. • European Investment Bank joined in 1998 and IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office in 2001. • Observers: UNDP representing UNEG and the OECD DAC Evaluation Network.

What Does ECG Do? • The 1996 Development Committee Task Force called for harmonization of evaluation methodologies, performance indicators, and criteria by the MDBs. • ECG’s mandate focuses on harmonization of evaluation principles, standards, and practices. • Harmonization part of Paris Declaration. • The ECG also addresses issues related to accountability, learning from past experience, sharing lessons and strengthening their use.

Good Practice Standards and Benchmarking Studies • ECG uses two instruments to promote evaluation harmonization among MDBs: 1. developing good practice standards (GPS); 2. benchmarking studies assess the extent to which the GPS is applied by the ECG members.

Private Sector Evaluations • First GPS was followed by a benchmarking study. • The GPS was refined based on the results of the benchmarking study. • The second benchmarking exercise was completed in 2004. While progress was made by most MDBs towards harmonization, there remained some issues. • The report was made public on ECG members’ websites and on the OECD DAC website. • As a result of this benchmarking study, the revision of GPS will be completed in 2006. • EBRD and IFC are playing the lead role in this area.

Public Sector Investment Evaluations • A GPS has been developed for public sector investment lending. • A benchmarking study of public sector investment operations will start in 2006. • The World Bank is playing the lead role.

Policy Based Lending Evaluation • The GPS for Policy Based Lending was endorsed by the ECG in 2005 and has been made publicly available. • A benchmarking study for policy loans will take place in 3 years. • As. DB took the lead in this area.

Country Assistance Program Evaluations • The ECG agreed that a GPS should be developed for country assistance evaluations. • Work will begin in 2006 • As. DB taking the lead role in developing this GPS.

TA/TC Evaluation • The ECG agreed that a GPS should be developed for TA/TC Evaluation. • Work is underway. • Once the GPS is completed, a benchmarking study will be undertaken. • IFC is taking the lead role in developing this GPS.

New ECG Activities • First paper to draw together evaluation findings from ECG members -- Permanent Poverty Reduction Requires Sustainable Infrastructure • Peer reviews – draw on OECD DAC experience • Joint data base of evaluation ratings.

Thank You