Exploring Evaluation

WHAT IS GIMS? GIMS is a strategic framework developed by the @DpmeOfficial to strengthen the use of geospatial technologies, spatial data and analytics in government planning, monitoring & evaluation. #DpmeGIMS @eThekwiniM @GCIS_KZN @kzngov @SeisoMohai

🌍 AI in evaluation: Opportunity or oversimplification for evidence use? A recent reflection by @TwendeMnE challenges the evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) community to think beyond the hype of AI and focus on what truly matters for evaluation and evidence use. As AI tools become more integrated into our workflows, they are undeniably improving speed and efficiency, supporting everything from data synthesis to report drafting. But as highlighted by the author, faster does not automatically mean better. ⚖️ For #AENmembers and the wider #EIDMcommunity, a few critical insights stand out: 🔹 What’s changing: AI is reshaping how quickly evaluation tasks can be completed. 🔹 What isn’t: The fundamentals—rigor, critical thinking, and contextual understanding—remain non-negotiable. 🔹 What matters most: • Credibility must not be sacrificed for convenience • Context cannot be automated; local knowledge remains essential. • Evidence must be translated into usable, decision-friendly formats. • AI should strengthen, not replace human expertise. 🚀 The real question for our community is not whether to use AI, but how to ensure it strengthens evidence uptake and real-world impact. 💬 A reflection for our #AENmembers: How can we intentionally use AI to make evidence more accessible, relevant, and actionable across African contexts, while maintaining the integrity that underpins #EIDM? 🔗 Read the full reflection: twendembele.org/using-ai-in-ev…. #AI #Evaluation #EvidenceUse #EvidenceToAction #ResearchImpact #AfricaEvaluation #KnowledgeTranslation

🎬 Season 1 of the Future of Evaluation dialogues has come to a close! On 21 April 2026, #Eval4Action hosted the season finale to explore how innovative approaches are reshaping evaluation. 7 takeaways from the dialogue: eval4action.org/post/7-takeawa… Season 2 will launch this July!

AEA and The MERL Tech Initiative are excited to present the 2026 Hackathon—Virtual Edition! Happening the weeks of April 12 and 19, the hackathon challenges participants to create ethical AI-powered solutions for real-world evaluation problems. Start now: eval.org/Education-Prog…

Examining program cost-effectiveness can help illustrate which programs are likely to offer the greatest value for 💲 in a particular situation. Explore cost-effectiveness analysis in these #ResearchResources. povertyactionlab.org/resource/condu…

Results from well-designed #RCTs are important for informing policy making, regardless of the result. But null results can be difficult to act on. Learn more about how to think about designing & learning from studies with null results in this blog post: povertyactionlab.org/blog/11-8-24/n…

📢 NOW OPEN: Call for Proposals for #Glocal Evaluation Week 2026 🎉 Everyone's welcome to host a knowledge-sharing session for #Glocal2026. This year's theme: Evaluation, Evidence & Trust in the Age of #AI🤖 👉Learn more & submit a proposal: bit.ly/4tXPvPO

How can DAC criteria work alongside creative, context-sensitive methods? Join our webinar to explore methodological bricolage with real cases & fresh insights for young evaluators. 👉 Register: bit.ly/YEEtraining15 #YEEtraining #CapacityEvaluation

🌏 Call for Applications! @APEAeval invites #VOPEs & #YEE Networks across Asia Pacific to apply for a Small Grant supporting inclusive, high-impact evaluation. 🔎 Details: bit.ly/APEAgrant-Conc… 📝 Apply: bit.ly/APEAgrant-VOPE… ✨Strengthen evaluation for better governance!