This CGIAR Science Week side-event presented the flagship ongoing work on Evaluability Assessments (EAs) of CGIAR’s Research Portfolio 2025–2030 (Terms of Reference), with contributions from the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) Chair and the Director General (DG) of IRRI. The aim of the event was to strengthen understanding of the scientific and organizational assurance value of having an evaluable portfolio, and to highlight the broader importance of M&E activities in agricultural Research for Development (R4D).
The session explored:
- insights from a joint Monitoring-Evaluation-Learning-Impact-Assessment (MELIA) Needs Assessment conducted by the IAES Evaluation Function and the Program Coordination Unit (PCU), demonstrating strong engagement across CGIAR Program and Accelerator interim directors and deputies, and MEL(IA) focal points.
- the intent and added value of evaluability, introduced through a fireside chat moderated by the IAES Director with the ISDC Chair and IRRI DG, emphasizing leadership, scientific rigor, and organizational assurance.
- the EA Framework and Guidelines, illustrating how internal units and independent evaluation offices can collaborate to strengthen program Theories of Change and MELIA components across R4D agencies.
- participant questions and reflections raised during a facilitated Q&A, enabling deeper inquiry into the role and application of EAs in R4D portfolios.
Meet the panelist
Atilade Solomon Adebayo
| MELIA Manager, Project Coordination Unit (PCU) CGIAR System Organisation/PCU/IITA
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| Gaia Gullotta | Consultant, , Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), Consultant to Evaluation Function, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT |
| Amy Katherine Jersild | Evaluation Consultant, IAES, Consutant to Evaluation Function |
| Yvonne Pinto | Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
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| Holger Meinke | Chair, Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC)
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| Allison Grove-Smith | Director, CGIAR, Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)
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Learn more about the event here. For more information on ISDC and Evaluation advising to CGIAR portfolio read the joint blog by Leads of the Evaluation Function and ISDC Secretariat here.
Explore the Evaluability Assessment Resource Hub.
