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Evaluation Cooperation Group

About

  • Background dwn
    About the Evaluation Cooperation Group
    Promoting Evaluation Harmonization
    Membership
    Working Practices
    Rotation Schedule Of The ECG Chair
  • ECG Mandate dwn
    Mandate of the Evaluation Cooperation Group

  • Background

    About the Evaluation Cooperation Group

    The Evaluation Cooperation Group (ECG) was established in 1996 to promote a more harmonized approach to evaluation methodology, following an assessment of the five major MDBs (the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the InterAmerican Development Bank and the World Bank).

    In particular, the report of the assessment, Serving a Changing World: Report of the Task Force on Multilateral Development Banks (1996) stated that a "determined effort should be made to harmonize performance indicators and evaluation criteria, taking into account the differing circumstances of each institution. The heads of the five MDB evaluation units should meet on a regular basis to exchange experience, with this purpose in mind".

    Promoting Evaluation Harmonization

    To promote evaluation harmonization among MDBs, the ECG has developed and uses Good Practice Standards (GPS) and benchmarking studies to assess the extent to which the GPS are applied by its members. The GPS cover:

    • Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation
    • Policy-Based Lending Operations
    • Evaluation Private Sector Operations
    • Evaluation Public Sector Operations Evaluation
    • Review Framework for the Evaluation Function (Peer Reviews)
    • Technical Assistance/Cooperation Evaluation

    In 2012, the ECG Big Book on Good Practice Standards was published as an online document to addresses overlaps noted in the individual GPSs, and resolves differences in terminologies, if any, without losing the original intent of the four GPS reports taken individually. It rearranges the individual GPSs, but there are no material changes or deviations from the original content. Members also work together on joint and meta-evaluations and discuss such evaluation issues as the independence of evaluation offices in MDBs, evaluability assessment, the results agenda of MDBs, and lessons learning and dissemination. The ECG has also developed a process for peer review of independent evaluation offices. Evaluation practice in members' central evaluation units has improved significantly since 1996, in light of the collaborative effort and information sharing facilitated by participation in the ECG. ECG has promoted not only harmonization but also evaluation independence, professionalism, lessons learning and cooperation.

    Membership

    ECG has a three-tier membership structure composed of: full members, permanent observers and temporary observers (institutions in the process of applying for full membership). ECG currently has eleven members and three permanent observers. In 2011, ECG members established a formal process for institutions applying for ECG membership. Full details on membership criteria and applications are available in the document ECG Membership Process (see below).

    At the ECG Spring 2014 (Johannesburg, April 2014), the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank were welcomed as ECG members. At the ECG Spring 2022 (Washington DC, April 2022), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) became ECG's newest members.

    At the ECG Fall 2014 (Washington DC, 4-5 December), the CEB withdrew its application for ECG membership. 

    Working Practices

    ECG members and observers meet twice a year (Spring and Autumn) to discuss and share experiences on current evaluation issues. The meetings are hosted by the ECG Chair, the role of which rotates among ECG members.

    Rotation Schedule Of The ECG Chair

    2025 - International Fund for Agricultural Development
    2024 - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Spring)/ Central American Bank for Economic Integration (Fall)
    2023 - African Development Bank
    2022 - Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), World Bank Group
    2021 - Inter-American Development Bank
    2020 - European Investment Bank
    2019 - Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (Spring) / Islamic Development Bank (Fall)
    2018 - Asian Development Bank
    2017 - International Fund for Agricultural Development
    2016 - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
    2015 - Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), World Bank Group
    2014 - African Development Bank
    2013 - Inter-American Development Bank
    2012 - European Investment Bank
    2011 - Asian Development Bank
    2010 - European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
    2009 - World Bank Group
    2008 - African Development Bank
    2007 - Inter-American Development Bank

    Updated October 2022

    • Serving a Changing world Report of the Task Force on MDBs 1996.pdf0 bytes
    • ECG Membership process Final_Nov2014.pdf0 bytes

  • ECG Mandate

    Mandate of the Evaluation Cooperation Group

    PURPOSE

    ECG contributes to excellence in evaluation by promoting:

    • Mutual learning and sharing of experience on issues such as evaluation governance, tools, methods, products and management.
    • Increased contribution of evaluation to organisational results;
    • Adoption of good practice standards and benchmarking against these; and
    • Facilitating jointly conducted evaluations.

    SCOPE

    ECG activities to promote the quality, usability and use of evaluation work in the IFI system include:

    Improving the Quality of Independent Evaluation by:

    • Developing and periodically updating good practice standards for relevant areas of work.
    • Conducting peer reviews and benchmarking against good practice standards (on member demand).
    • Providing a forum and information sharing service on all aspects of evaluation, including methods, management of the evaluation function, governance and accountability, dissemination, and the interactions Anchor with management and other stakeholders.
    • Facilititating training in evaluation methodologies and approaches for the staff of central evaluation departments, and those conducting self-evaluations when needed.

    Improving the Quality of Self-Evaluation in Member Institutions by:

    • Promoting self-evaluation, develops or encourages development of good practice standards for self-evaluation, and supports their adoption by members' institutions.

    Improving the Usability and Use of Evaluation Findings by:

    • Promoting increased usability and utilisation of evaluation findings within IFIs.

    Outreach to the Wider Evaluation and Development Community by:

    • Promoting good practice standards and principles among the wider evaluation community.
    • Participating in meetings of other evaluation networks to both learn from the experience of others, and in turn contribute to their learning.
    • Supporting the dissemination of members' evaluation reports and related products.
    • Encouraging members who share a common interest to produce joint syntheses of evaluation findings on topical issues, which ECG will help promote.
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