Researchers flag gaps in evaluating the impact of development collaboration

“No responsible physician would consider prescribing medications without properly evaluating their impact or potential side effects. Yet in social development programs, where large sums of money are spent… no such standard has been adopted.” This sobering conclusion was made in 2006 by a working group of the Washington Center for Global Development, in a provocative report entitled: “When Will We Ever Learn? Improving Lives Through Impact Evaluation.” The experts complained about gaps in evaluating the impact of development collaboration, and called for the systematic establishment of evidence-based decision-making.