Evaluations
Evaluability assessments
The IEU conducts evaluability studies to assess whether GCF activities and projects are designed in ways that enable credible and robust evaluations. These studies examine elements such as clear theories of change, measurable outcomes, and strong monitoring systems, including in GCF funding proposals (FPs) and other project documents. By identifying strengths and gaps at the design stage, evaluability studies support learning, accountability, and stronger performance across the GCF portfolio.
The IEU’s evaluability study series resulted from Board approved recommendations and multiple evaluation findings. The IEU’s independent review of the GCF’s Result Management Framework (RMF) in 2018, as well as the Forward-looking Performance Review of the GCF (FPR) in 2019, revealed that the RMF does not have a clear or consistent causal logic that can guide projects in the design of operations that may contribute to long-term change. These findings led to a recommendation that the GCF needs to pay more attention at the design and budgeting stage of a project M&E system prior to project proposal approval.
This recommendation specifically called for the undertaking of regular ‘evaluability reviews’ to assess the extent to which GCF projects are likely to report and measure their impacts and outcomes credibly. As per these recommendations, the IEU’s evaluability assessments check whether the projects have a plan and budget for baseline data collection and a robust monitoring plan with appropriate impact and outcome indicators that helps the project manage results better.
Becoming bigger, better, smarter: A summary of the evaluability of Green Climate Fund proposals
29 Mar 2019
The goal of the GCF is to support a paradigm shift towards low-carbon, high-resilience pathways. It is thus important to understand if such a paradigm shift is occurring, and, if so, to measure the extent to which the GCF has contributed to this overall result. We review 93 proposals funded by the GCF and assess their ability to credibly report their impacts, efficiency and effectiveness, in an evidencebased and robust way.
Evaluability assessment of the Green Climate Fund funding proposals
31 Dec 2022
This paper continues IEU’s effort to assess the tools and frameworks within funding proposals that enable robust monitoring and measurement of results during project implementation. The series began in 2019 with “Becoming bigger, better, smarter: A summary of the evaluability of Green Climate Fund proposals”. This paper presents the progress in the ability of projects to deliver a cost-effective impact on climate adaptation and mitigation during the GCF-1 period.
The Third Evaluability assessment of the Green Climate Fund’s Funding Proposals
01 May 2025
This report presents the third evaluability study conducted by the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The study assesses whether GCF projects and programmes can be evaluated in a reliable and credible manner. It analyses a sample of 20 funding proposals (FPs) approved between B.26 and B.30, providing findings on the evaluability of logical frameworks, indicators, and result measurement systems across various sectors and geographic regions.
