ABSTRACT
For the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which assists numerous global partners in addressing some of the most pressing concerns of our era, a thorough grasp of the outcomes and impacts of its work is essential in planning and making sustainable progress. Evaluation provides accountability for the achievement of results and institutional performance and is an important source of knowledge and organizational learning. This chapter describes the evolving role of evaluation over the GEF's 30 years; the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) now is a key actor, informing decision making on GEF policies, strategies, and programs. The chapter presents the architecture of GEF evaluation and discusses how the periodic comprehensive evaluations conducted every four years have influenced GEF programing directions.
