LocationsA focused, risk aligned evaluation agenda to inform decision making across UNDP
2026–2029 multi‑year workplan approved for IEO
March 4, 2026
Isabelle Mercier presents to the UNDP Executive Board
At its first regular session of 2026, the Executive Board of UNDP approved the Independent Evaluation Office’s (IEO) Multi Year Programme of Work for 2026–2029. The document sets out a focused and strategic evaluation agenda to support timely, evidence informed decision making across UNDP during a period of significant institutional change.
Presented to the Board by the IEO Director, Ms. Isabelle Mercier, the new workplan addresses growing demands on the organisation and a more constrained resource environment by honing evaluation priorities and strengthening the crucial connection among evaluation, learning and decision-making.
"With the UN system facing difficult budget decisions, it is more important than ever that evaluation delivers real value. This workplan is designed to ensure that evaluations meet UNDP’s most important decision moments."Isabelle Mercier, IEO Director
A more focused, risk‑aligned evaluation portfolio
The 2026–2029 workplan concentrates IEO evaluations on areas that are most strategic or high risk for UNDP. This includes a targeted set of corporate and thematic evaluations, covering areas such as partnerships, results-based management, peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, gender and UNDP’s regional programmes, as well as independent country programme evaluations.
A refined prioritization approach will ensure that country offices operating in complex or fragile contexts are evaluated every programme cycle, while others are evaluated less frequently. This allows the IEO to maintain coverage while creating space for deeper analysis and stronger engagement with national partners.
Making better use of existing evidence
Recognizing the breadth of evaluative evidence already available across UNDP, the workplan places increased emphasis on evidence synthesis and strategic learning products. Rather than producing additional studies where evidence is already rich, the IEO will focus on drawing clearer, decision relevant insights from existing evaluations.
The workplan also provides for the selective use of impact evaluations where they can add the greatest value, strengthening the evidence base on what works, for whom and under what conditions.
Leveraging technology and innovation
Building on recent advances, the IEO will continue to integrate technology and artificial intelligence into its evaluation work. This includes further development and deployment of AIDA—UNDP's AI‑enabled evaluation platform—to support evidence extraction, synthesis and insight generation, while maintaining strong ethical safeguards and human oversight.
Technology will also be used to improve evaluation quality assurance, contracting and data handling, increasing efficiency in areas that are essential but often resource‑intensive.
Strengthening engagement and use
A central feature of the workplan is a renewed emphasis on engagement and use. Communication and stakeholder engagement will be integrated throughout the evaluation cycle, with evaluations more closely aligned to key decision points. Products will be tailored to different audiences, and follow up strengthened through management responses and feedback mechanisms.
This approach aims to reinforce UNDP’s learning culture and ensure that evaluation findings meaningfully inform policies, programmes and reforms.
A strategic asset for UNDP and the wider UN system
The Multi-Year Programme of Work is aligned with the UNDP Evaluation Policy 2025–2030 and supports UNDP’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2029. It also positions the IEO to contribute to system wide learning through partnerships with other UN evaluation offices and global evaluation initiatives.
“This workplan is about ensuring that evaluation remains a strategic asset for UNDP and for the wider UN development system," said Ms. Mercier. "We look forward to working with colleagues and partners to bring it to life.”
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