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This evaluation examined progress towards a “new generation of United Nations Country Teams” mandated by A/RES/72/279. It assessed the alignment/derivation of UNSDG entity programming from Cooperation Frameworks, and the (re)configuration of UNCTs. It covered the period 2019-2025, all UNSDG entities and the Resident Coordinator system (including the Development Coordination Office) at country, regional and global levels. It was theory-based, and triangulated multiple data sources including: interviews with UN staff and external stakeholders, in-depth analysis of 21 UNCTs, extensive document review and analysis of survey data. This evaluation makes seven strategic recommendations to UNSDG, DCO, and Member States.

This evaluation examined progress towards a “new generation of United Nations Country Teams” mandated by A/RES/72/279. It assessed the alignment/derivation of UNSDG entity programming from Cooperation Frameworks, and the (re)configuration of UNCTs. It covered the period 2019-2025, all UNSDG entities and the Resident Coordinator system (including the Development Coordination Office) at country, regional and global levels. It was theory-based, and triangulated multiple data sources including: interviews with UN staff and external stakeholders, in-depth analysis of 21 UNCTs, extensive document review and analysis of survey data. This evaluation makes seven strategic recommendations to UNSDG, DCO, and Member States.

The 2024 Annual Report provides an update on the work and achievements of the office and highlights lessons learned from system-wide evaluation activities. It also sets out the programme of work for 2025 and details of Cooperation Framework Evaluations at country level. The report will be presented at the Operation Activities for Development Segment of ECOSOC, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/226.

Highlighting the value of mapping and summarizing evaluation evidence across the UN system, this paper highlights the process followed, introduces the summaries and maps developed and the main lessons learned for improving UN evaluations and policy-making.

This document details the Management Response to the System-Wide Evaluation on Spotlight Initiative. As per the UNSDG System-Wide Evaluation Policy, all system-wide evaluations require a formal management response produced within an agreed timeframe. The management response document indicates, for each recommendation:

(i) whether the recommendation is ‘accepted’, ‘partially accepted’ or ‘not accepted’ by management;

(ii) the actions that will be taken to implement the recommendation;

(iii) who is responsible for implementation; and

(iv) a deadline for implementation.

Progress on the implementation of management response actions is reported in the Annual Report of the Executive Director to the Economic and Social Council and, where appropriate, by United Nations entities to their respective governing bodies.

This assessment analyses the economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity of the Spotlight Initiative, providing action points on how the Initiative can better integrate VFM dimensions in the design and implementation of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0. It also contributes to the body of work on assessment of value for money for complex programmes or initiatives focusing on social and behavioural change. The assessment uses an interdisciplinary approach, combining evaluation theory and practice and economic analysis.

This assessment analyses the economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity of the Spotlight Initiative, providing action points on how the Initiative can better integrate VFM dimensions in the design and implementation of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0. It also contributes to the body of work on assessment of value for money for complex programmes or initiatives focusing on social and behavioural change. The assessment uses an interdisciplinary approach, combining evaluation theory and practice and economic analysis.

This evaluation examined the Spotlight Initiative’s overall performance and contribution to the United Nations Reform mandated by A/RES/72/279. This evaluation covers implementation at the global, regional and country levels inclusive of two civil society grant-giving programmes from 2017 to 2023. This evaluation was theory-based, used a mixed-methods approach to draw on qualitative and quantitative data and analysis, and involved stakeholders at all levels in a participatory manner. It focuses on seven areas of investigation which were translated into seven evaluation questions aligned to the evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. This evaluation makes 8 strategic recommendations.

This evaluation examined the Spotlight Initiative’s overall performance and contribution to the United Nations Reform mandated by A/RES/72/279. This evaluation covers implementation at the global, regional and country levels inclusive of two civil society grant-giving programmes from 2017 to 2023. This evaluation was theory-based, used a mixed-methods approach to draw on qualitative and quantitative data and analysis, and involved stakeholders at all levels in a participatory manner. It focuses on seven areas of investigation which were translated into seven evaluation questions aligned to the evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. This evaluation makes 8 strategic recommendations.

This evaluation examined the Spotlight Initiative’s overall performance and contribution to the United Nations Reform mandated by A/RES/72/279. This evaluation covers implementation at the global, regional and country levels inclusive of two civil society grant-giving programmes from 2017 to 2023. This evaluation was theory-based, used a mixed-methods approach to draw on qualitative and quantitative data and analysis, and involved stakeholders at all levels in a participatory manner. It focuses on seven areas of investigation which were translated into seven evaluation questions aligned to the evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. This evaluation makes 8 strategic recommendations.