Bridging Policy and Practice: The Role of Evaluation Capacity Building in Shaping Evaluation Policy

There are two ways evaluation capacity building (ECB) strategies may be used in relation to evaluation policy. First, ECB may be used to develop the capacity of the individuals responsible for interpreting and implementing evaluation policy to help them recognize and understand key policy components. Evaluation policy may also be a driver for ECB, as policy content guides ECB strategies and organizations must identify areas where they need to develop further evaluation capacity in order to meet policy expectations. This research examines the relationship between ECB and evaluation policy through key informant interviews with federal policymakers, Heads of Evaluation across government departments and academic scholars whose research focuses on evaluation policy and/or ECB. Results demonstrate factors to be taken into consideration by policymakers when developing new or revising existing evaluation policies and how to leverage ECB strategies to support the successful implementation of evaluation policies.