Independent Assessment Highlights Positive Transformational Trajectory
The CGIAR Center External Review (CER) of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has been published, providing an independent, learning-oriented assessment of the Center and identifying opportunities to sustain its growth and strengthen its contribution and impact.
Commissioned by the IWMI Board of Governors, managed by CGIAR’s Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), and conducted by an independent external Review Panel, the CER covers the period 2020–2025. The assessment drew on mixed-methods evidence and examined IWMI through six reference statements and eight evaluation criteria.
A Positive Transformational Trajectory
The Review Panel finds IWMI to be on a positive transformational trajectory, highlighting its highly relevant water-security mandate, strong strategic foundations, extensive partnerships, substantial and diversified outputs, and growing operational reach.
Looking ahead, the review identifies organizational maturation as a priority for IWMI’s next phase. In particular, it points to opportunities to strengthen evidence and learning, organizational systems and operating capacity, partnership architecture, and quality and lifecycle governance.
Building on these findings, the Panel puts forward eight strategic recommendations aimed at helping IWMI sustain its growth, strengthen its contribution and impact, and reinforce its distinctive value proposition and global thought leadership (Final report, chapter 6 page 29).
From Recommendations to Action
IWMI management fully accepted all eight recommendations, demonstrating strong ownership of the review findings and a commitment to translating them into institutional learning and improvement.
On 17 September 2026, the IWMI Board of Governors endorsed both the CER report and the management response.
The review illustrates the role of CERs as an independent assurance and learning mechanism, creating space to reflect on institutional strengths and areas for improvement while providing actionable recommendations to support Centers as they evolve.
A video introducing the IWMI Center External Review, published in June 2026, provides additional context on the review, its purpose, and the CER approach.
▶️ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/UA-33-2q8gM
