As an organizational developer keenly focused on AI integration, I observe that civil society organizations (CSOs) globally are grappling with a complex, urgent task: defining clear, ethical, and practical positions on the use of artificial intelligence. This is not merely an IT challenge; it is a fundamental discussion about organizational values, risk tolerance, and future … Read more
The 2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing global sustainability agendas amid escalating geopolitical fragmentation and economic uncertainty. With 1,600 participants from 110 countries, the conference prioritized actionable outcomes, producing landmark agreements such as the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs and the Global Alliance against Inequality[1][2][3]. This … Read more
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for economic development and policymaking across Africa. As African nations explore ways to leverage AI, there is a growing focus on ensuring its responsible and ethical implementation. This approach aims to harness AI’s potential while addressing unique challenges and opportunities in the African context. The Promise … Read more
Speaking evidence to power Reporting evaluation results and communicating them effectively to policymakers and program managers is critical for improving uptake at the policy level and programming. By following the recommendations outlined in this article, evaluators can safeguard that their evaluation results are clear, concise, and actionable, and that they are communicated in a way … Read more
Series Evaluation Insights for Policy and Programming Evaluation Synthesis: STDF/PG/350 — Global Phytosanitary Manuals, Standard Operating Procedures and Training Kits Project Context Phytosanitary capacity is foundational to agricultural trade. Countries that lack documented regulatory procedures, trained inspection staff, and functioning plant health systems face higher trade costs, increased consignment rejections, and reduced market access. This … Read more
Series Evaluation Insights for Policy and Programming Meta-analysis of evaluations on combating poverty and SDGs in Costa Rica Context The meta-analysis was conducted in Costa Rica in 2018 at the request of FOCEVAL and the SDG Technical Secretariat at MIDEPLAN, in a context where the country sought to align its National Evaluation Agenda with the … Read more
Karsten Weitzenegger is contracted by German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) to carry out a meta-analysis of poverty-related reports done in Costa Rica recently. The meta-analysis will serve to systematize achievements, favorable and unfavorable factors and recommendations in relation to the objective of the fight against poverty. During the period 2015-2017, Costa Rica has made … Read more
The European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) is the heart piece of the EU’s new External Investment Plan (EIP). Its role is to help boosting private and public investment in our partner countries to address some of the obstacles to growth and some root reasons for irregular migration. The EFSD Strategic Board includes the EU … Read more
Series Evaluation Insights for Policy and Programming The evaluation finds that the SRRP in Jordan substantially strengthened key regulatory institutions and the PPP framework, but achieved only partial results on competition, pricing, and pro poor impact, mainly because of weak political backing, limited coordination, and design flaws in governance and monitoring. Overall sustainability is mixed, … Read more
Series Evaluation Insights for Policy and Programming Context The Micro Projects Programme II Suriname operated between 1999 and 2005 with financing of about five million euro from the eighth European Development Fund, following an earlier government run micro projects programme considered less suited to mobilize civil society. The programme sought to address persistent poverty, social … Read more
