Session abstract:
In an analysis of nine recent climate change evaluations, evaluation staff from four foundations (Hewlett, MacArthur, ClimateWorks and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation) found several common themes, including the importance of well-developed theories of change, balance between feasibility and ambition, and funder coordination – themes we’ve also seen in evaluations in other sectors.
Panel members will explore 1) the common themes that emerged and why they are so common; 2) methods we used to support staff from a variety of foundations to explore applying lessons from these themes; and 3) how attention to common themes can help guide program design and evaluation work. As part of the exploration, we will facilitate session participant discussion on points such as how closely these themes resonate with their own work and practical ways to apply this information in service of advancing evaluation practice and client utilization of evaluation results.