Participatory evaluation: who evaluates?

The policy brief “Participatory evaluation: who evaluates?” discusses the importance of actively involving different stakeholders in the evaluation processes of policies, programs, and projects, especially in contexts of the Global South. Based on a decolonial approach and one that is sensitive to local dynamics, the text argues that participation goes beyond data collection, promoting methodological co-creation, active listening, and the empowerment of historically marginalized groups. The publication highlights the benefits of participatory evaluation — such as legitimacy, relevance, ownership, and contextualization of results — and offers practical guidance for the mapping and engagement of social actors, reinforcing evaluation as a democratic and transformative instrument.