The What? The How? The What For? of Evaluation in Complex Times

Abstract This chapter presents a humanized and transformative methodology for the evaluation of development policies and programs, given the complex conditions produced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, this chapter introduces a groundbreaking methodology for the evaluation of development policies and programs. It advocates for a paradigm shift in evaluation, emphasizing a person-centered, inclusive, equitable, and participatory approach that prioritizes the perspectives of the individuals whose rights are at stake. The chapter reflects on the transformative impact of the pandemic on evaluation practices, recognizing the urgency of adapting to rapidly changing global circumstances. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the ethical imperatives of evaluation, emphasizing principles such as integrity, human rights, gender equality, and inclusion. It stresses the importance of evaluating interventions using sensitivity to cultural, social, and economic contexts, particularly in vulnerable conditions such as extreme poverty and conflict. The chapter concludes by advocating for strategic alliances and multilateral cooperation in designing initiatives aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It calls for the promotion of inclusive measurement processes and the development of technical competencies in the realm of technological and digital evaluation methods.