While not all Network member evaluation units are mandated to work directly on evaluation capacity in partner countries, all have committed to the principles of harmonisation, alignment and the use of country systems. At a minimum, this means donors should consider how their own evaluation work can strengthen rather than undermine evaluation capacity in partner countries.

This tip sheet draws on Network experience in the fields of capacity development and joint evaluation to explore how managers and evaluators based in donor development agencies can best support partner evaluation capacity development. It outlines the key elements of a “capacity friendly” approach to development evaluation based on the three key principles of harmonisation, alignment and use of partner country evaluation systems.