CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)

When it comes to scaling programs, what works in one context doesn’t automatically translate elsewhere – even with careful replication. An insightful blog from CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA)'s Swetha Ramachandran, PhD and Astewale Bimr Melaku. READ MORE:

As public aid funding becomes more constrained, and investments face greater scrutiny to ensure they make a real difference, independent evaluations are more important than ever. The new study from CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)'s Evaluation Function explores practices across independent evaluation offices and highlights perceptions of evaluation use in AR4D and multilateral organizations.

After nearly three years of dedicated service, we extend our warm thanks to Dr. Roberto La Rovere, who concluded his time on the CGIAR Evaluation Reference Group (ERG). Since joining in early 2022, Roberto has brought invaluable insight, a generous spirit, and thoughtful perspective to our work—contributing to the strength and evolution of the ERG during a pivotal time for CGIAR. He concluded his term in February 2025, before starting a new chapter heading the Caribbean Development Bank Independent Evaluation Office. We’re proud to have worked alongside him and wish him all the best in this next phase. Thank you, Roberto for your commitment, collegiality, and impact. 🔗 Learn more about the ERG and its role in CGIAR’s evaluation system https://lnkd.in/e_NhsuTc 🔗 Download Terms of Reference: Evaluation Reference Group https://lnkd.in/eS4ngRby

🌱 Science in Bloom: CGIAR ISDC Visits the James Hutton Institute in Scotland 🌱 After wrapping up our July meeting in Edinburgh, ISDC traveled to Dundee to visit The James Hutton Institute — home to pioneering research, strong partnerships, and where ISDC member Lesley Torrance is an Honorary Fellow. From learning about joint research with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and International Potato Center (CIP), to exploring Vertical Growth Towers, to seeing the Commonwealth Potato Collection in full bloom, the visit was full of learning and inspiration. 👉 Read the full blog by Inés González de Suso and Lesley Torrance: https://lnkd.in/e5dTRG6k

🔍 How are development organizations ensuring evaluation recommendations actually? 💬 We invite you to join EvalforEarth's discussion: “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘜𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨”⁣ ⁣A robust Management Response (MR) system is essential—this is emphasized by MOPAN and the UN Norms and Standards for Evaluation (NORM 14). CGIAR's benchmarking study maps MR structures, oversight mechanisms, and best practices to support evaluation uptake and accountability.⁣ Explore the report and add your voice to the discussion open until 31 August 2025:⁣ 🔗 JOIN THE DISCUSSION bit.ly/4mA5Cij 🔗 READ THE BENCHMARKING REPORT bit.ly/40QKmwf ⁣

This #InternationalYouthDay, we celebrate youth-led achievements while reflecting on how to ensure agricultural innovations benefit all young farmers! In Ethiopia’s semi-arid and sub-humid regions, Rural Resource Centers (RRCs) – a first-of-its-kind initiative – were piloted in 2013 by CIFOR-ICRAF and partners. Youth groups, working with a private actor, produced 101,000 tree seedlings (avocado, guava, mango, papaya, and multipurpose/ornamental trees). The challenge now is: How can we get farmers to adopt these seeds and make it more scalable? 📕 READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/exGpg-YV 📬 SIGN UP TO THE IAES NEWSLETTER: https://lnkd.in/eJuyXZwg CGIAR

This #InternationalYouthDay, we highlight the words of ISDC (Independent Science for Development Council) Chair Holger Meinke. Taken from his speech at the CGIAR #ScienceWeek Opening Ceremony, where he emphasized the importance of giving youth the agency to act and make critical decisions for the future. This focus was also reflected in ISDC’s Science Forum 2023, which centered on Innovation for Impact: Growing Gender Equality, Youth, and Social Inclusion. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/exwdk-KB Subscribe to the IAES newsletter for more updates: https://lnkd.in/eJuyXZwg

🌍 This #InternationalYouthDay, we celebrate the young professionals reshaping Evaluation! At CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), the youth are not just future leaders — they’re driving change now. Our early-career analysts have contributed to major evaluation events and projects in the Evaluation Function, championing systems thinking, ethics & sustainability. Shoutout to Marta Maria Molinari, THEURI KINGORI, Gaia Gullotta, Samriti Maharjan, and Lea Corsetti! Curious about us? Discover more about the Evaluation function here: https://lnkd.in/em_nZmaM #YouthInEvaluation #IAES #CGIAR #YoungEvaluators #Eval4Action #FutureOfEvaluation CGIAR

When models say millions are reached, but reality says otherwise, the gap has consequences. SPIA’s analysis of biofortified crops in rural Uganda found model-based reach estimates up to 14× higher than observed via surveys and DNA fingerprinting. This means missed nutrition gains and delayed course corrections. The takeaway? Monitoring models are powerful, but only if they’re regularly validated against on-the-ground realities. Read it now: https://lnkd.in/ezUJZY5M Subscribe to the IAES newsletter: https://bit.ly/40ikg4R CGIAR

For #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we looked into the insights gleaned from the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA)'s country-level studies on CGIAR-linked agricultural innovation adoption to show the connection of indigenous people with agrobiodiversity. ➡️ Swipe through the carousel post, and then head to our country-level studies to learn more: https://lnkd.in/esJ8FdNP 📥 Sign up for updates straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/eJuyXZwg