Events

Jessica Kyle and Peter Mbanda Umunay presented an evaluation of Global Environment Facility food-systems programmes. The portfolio comprised 105 projects across 32 participating countries. The evaluation applied a systems-thinking framework to environmental, socioeconomic, regulatory, and value-chain dimensions. Evidence came from portfolio review, interviews, surveys, geospatial analysis, and country case studies. More

Jennifer Waidler presented impact evaluations of World Food Programme integrated resilience and food-security interventions, with Marco D'Errico moderating. The evaluated package centred on Food Assistance for Assets alongside seasonal transfers, school meals, or nutrition support. More

Genny Bonomi and Beatrice Ekesa-Onyango discussed a thematic evaluation of IFAD support to nutrition, with Enala Mumba moderating. The evaluation reviewed nutrition approaches and results through ten country case studies across IFAD regions. It examined production and income pathways toward diverse, safe, and nutritious diets. The evaluation also assessed whether nutrition-sensitive agriculture incorporated climate risks and opportunities. Positive examples included rainwater capture, recycled-water kitchen gardens, climate-resilient crops, and recovery of traditional ecosystems. These examples did not represent consistent integration across the portfolio. Climate and nutrition objectives were rarely designed or financed together. More

Jesse Mason presented experimental evidence on the timing of flood-related cash assistance in Bangladesh and Nepal, with Jonas Heirman moderating. The studies compared earlier cash transfers with support delivered through later response schedules. More

While international efforts to implement ambitious climate action are underway, understanding the impact of adaptation investments is not just a good thing to have - it is an essential risk-mitigation strategy for global climate finance. However, the evidence on the effectiveness and sustainability of these investments is still scarce. As more and more attention is focused on the improvement of the understanding of adaptation actions, the session showcased the ongoing efforts of the Adaptation Fund Technical Evaluation Reference Group (AF-TERG) on ex post evaluation, and how this can inform the work of the Adaptation Fund and adaptation finance in general. More

As climate finance enters a decisive phase - with the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) shaping future flows - the performance and effectiveness of multilateral climate funds are under renewed scrutiny. The evaluation functions of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Adaptation Fund (AF) are in various stages of respective performance or evaluation reviews to assess how their institutional arrangements, access modalities, and delivery mechanisms meet country needs and global ambitions. More

Rishabh Moudgill and Giovanna Montagner discussed an Independent Evaluation Unit assessment of country ownership in the Green Climate Fund. The evaluation drew on 149 interviews across a purposive sample of ten countries. Belize and Ethiopia served as deep-dive cases. More

Kouessi Maximin Kodjo and Massiel Jiménez presented an evaluation of IFAD support to Small Island Developing States, with Mona Saleh Fetouh moderating. The evaluation covered 30 financed operations in 18 island states across four regions. It also examined policy engagement, knowledge management, and partnerships. A reconstructed theory of change linked multidimensional vulnerability with multidimensional resilience. The mixed-method design combined portfolio analysis with six country case studies. Artificial-intelligence-assisted document extraction was checked by evaluation analysts. More

Jason Daniel Russ and Joy Kaarina Butscher discussed evidence on nature-positive production, with Rasmus Heltberg moderating. The session examined the economic and ecological connections among biodiversity, climate, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. More

Esteban J. Quinones presented a synthesis of evidence across several areas of climate action. The session asked where rigorous evaluation can already guide policy and where major gaps remain. More