Abstract
The continuum of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA) is essential to the effective delivery of CGIAR’s Research Portfolio. To support the ambitions of the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy and the CGIAR Performance and Results Management Framework (PRMF), the MELIA framework must be agile, evidence-based, and capable of generating real-time insights that inform strategic decision-making and reinforce CGIAR’s credibility with stakeholders. It plays a critical role in ensuring that interventions are assessed against their theories of change (ToCs), enabling clear reporting outcomes, and continuous learning. This approach is anchored in the CGIAR-wide Evaluation Framework and Policy (2022) which defines the principles for learning, steering and accountability. Evaluability and measurability are further guided by the Evaluability Assessment Guidelines (2022), ensuring that CGIAR’s work remains results-focused, transparent, and impact-driven.
To support the implementation of CGIAR’s 2025-30 Portfolio, this learning product presents MELIA-related findings and recommendations drawn from evaluation of previous CGIAR research portfolios.This learning product draws on evaluative insights from Research Programs (CRPs) and Science Groups (SGs), including 11 studies produced by the Evaluation Function of CGIAR’s Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), and by the Portfolio Performance Unit (PPU) between 2021-24 (see Box below). Its aim is to take stock of key lessons, prioritize and highlight the evidence behind 36 MELIA-related recommendations to support the inception phase of the new 2025-30 Portfolio. It also contributes to the design and implementation of evaluability assessments (EAs) for the 12 Science Programs and Accelerators as outlined in the System Council endorsed 2025-27 Workplan for CGIAR's IAES (SC/M21/DP5).
For ease of reference, this document is organized around four MELIA-related themes: Theory of Change (ToC); Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL); Indicators and Reporting; and Impact Assessment. Management Responses (MRs) for ten studies commissioned by the System Council are available in the MR Actions Tracker.
Citation
G. Gullotta, A. Jersild, S. Negroustoueva, D. Templeton. CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES). (2025). Rome: IAES Evaluation Function. https://iaes.cgiar.org/
Author(s)
G. Gullotta; A. Jersild; S. Negroustoueva, D. Templeton
Publisher
Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)
