Countries of Cooperation
Accompanying, Ex Post Evaluation, Program Evaluation
Start of project: December 2023
End of project: November 2027
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RePack-Network. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Sustainable Packaging of Food: Networking and Transfer Program for Plastics Reduction
Food is often packaged in plastics that are only used for a short time and are rarely reused or recycled. In addition to the considerable [Read More]Food is often packaged in plastics that are only used for a short time and are rarely reused or recycled. In addition to the considerable consumption of resources, the environment is also polluted by macro- or microplastics. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is therefore promoting innovations that help to package food more sustainably and reduce plastics along the value chain. In the RePack network, five research institutions under the leadership of the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) accompany, support and evaluate twelve innovation projects in this funding programme. In the projects, universities and research institutions work together with companies to develop new production processes, innovative materials, packaging with an increased recycled content or reusable packaging.
The “Networking and Transfer Program for Plastics Reduction” is investigating how existing sustainable packaging concepts can be expanded. The aim is to bundle the results for different target groups and bring the projects into dialogue: To this end, cluster and themed workshops as well as conferences are being designed and organised at which the projects can network with each other and with the interested specialist public. A website and social media presence as well as a regular newsletter provide information on the progress of the projects and give insights into the innovations. The results of the funded projects are used to derive overarching recommendations for action for politics, business, civil society and consumers.
The task of CEval GmbH within the “Networking and Transfer Program for Plastics Reduction” is the conception and implementation of the accompanying and final evaluation of the BMEL funding programme for the development of packaging innovations for the food industry. To this end, a results model for the funding programme will be created, which will be empirically validated and refined, and indicator sets will be developed for the project level as well as the levels of the funding programme and the overarching innovation programme of the BMEL. Building on this, the annual accompanying evaluations and the final summative evaluation will analyse the design and implementation of the funding programme, its results and their sustainability and transferability to other fields of application, as well as identifying further fields of action and research needs. Methodologically, the theory-based evaluation follows a mix of document analyses, individual and group interviews and supplementary online surveys.
Management: Stefan Silvestrini | Co-Worker: Hansjörg Gaus, Matthias Klapproth, Hilde Folger, Juliane Löw | Cooperation Partner: Institute for Ecological Economy Research, IÖW, Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung, GVM, Institute for Social-Ecological Research, ISOE, Sustainable Packaging Institute (SPI) of Albstadt-Sigmaringen UniversityAccompanying
Start of project: December 2024
End of project: December 2025
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Conducting a survey as part of an impact analysis of the Hessian digitization funding program “Distr@l”
Funded by: Hessian Ministry for Digitalization and Innovation (HMD) Since the beginning of 2020, the state of Hesse has been supporting digital innovation projects with [Read More]Funded by: Hessian Ministry for Digitalization and Innovation (HMD)
Since the beginning of 2020, the state of Hesse has been supporting digital innovation projects with the "Distr@l" funding program to drive digital transformation in the Hessian economy. The program, with four funding lines, targets small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, universities, and research institutions, funding application-oriented projects that support the transfer of knowledge between science and industry, the training and securing of skilled workers, and the further development of digital technologies.
CEval GmbH is conducting an accompanying impact analysis of the funding program to capture the medium-term effects of the innovation projects. This analysis is based on a written, semi-standardized online survey of funding recipients 12 to 24 months after the completion of their projects. The goal of the annual survey, which is to be conducted every year in the future, is to provide empirically measurable indicators that offer insights into project development and to provide recommendations for the further development of the funding program and for supporting SMEs in the digital transformation. The results are aimed at both project recipients and responsible political actors, as well as at press representatives and the interested public.
Management: Stefan Silvestrini | Co-Worker: Hilde FolgerClient: Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH
Ex Post Evaluation, Mid-term Evaluaton
Start of project: November 2024
End of project: July 2025
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Evaluation of the EndOCSEA@Europe Project
Funded by: Safe Online In response to the alarming rise of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), the Council of Europe has commissioned the [Read More]Funded by: Safe Online
In response to the alarming rise of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), the Council of Europe has commissioned the EndOCSEA@Europe project, implemented in two phases, to combat OCSEA across Council of Europe member states. Phase I (2018-2021) focused on mapping legislation, policies, and practices on OCSEA, strengthening laws, enhancing law enforcement capacities, and raising awareness in countries such as Albania, Armenia, and Ukraine. Phase II (2023-2025), focuses on further strengthening actions, particularly in Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Montenegro. The project promotes multi-stakeholder collaboration, legislative reforms, capacity-building, and awareness campaigns, integrating recommendations from Phase I, with synergies sought with other Council of Europe initiatives. Managed by the Children’s Rights Division, it involves key stakeholders, including government authorities, law enforcement, NGOs, and professionals working with children.
The evaluation of the EndOCSEA@Europe project aims to assess its effectiveness, impact, efficiency, and sustainability across both phases, focusing on legislative improvements, cross-border cooperation, capacity-building, and implementation challenges. Using a non-experimental, theory-based, mixed-methods approach with extensive stakeholder participation, the evaluation will examine the project's Theory of Change, impact, and scalability at political, institutional, community, and individual levels. Data will be gathered through interviews, case studies, and surveys, analyzed using triangulation for validity, and following the OECD-DAC criteria with a focus on age- and gender-sensitive methodologies.
Management: Stefan Silvestrini | Co-Worker: Hilde FolgerClient: Council of Europe
Impact Analysis
Start of project: December 2022
End of project: April 2025
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Support of the BfN in the Evaluation by the German Science and Humanities Council (WR) 2023/2024
As a federal departmental research institution, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) is evaluated at regular intervals by external experts. After the first external [Read More]As a federal departmental research institution, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) is evaluated at regular intervals by external experts. After the first external evaluation by the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR) in 2007 and the second evaluation in 2015, the third evaluation is now due in 2024. The aim of the project is to support the BfN in the conceptual preparation and follow-up of the upcoming evaluation process through external, scientific expertise.
The following core tasks will be fulfilled:
- Support in the collection, evaluation and preparation of data and information needed to answer the questions to the BfN and the preparation of the report;
- Support in the preparation and implementation of the inspection by the WR;
- Support in the analysis of the evaluation results and in the follow-up of the evaluation;
- Analysis of the effectiveness and quality of BfN's science-based policy advice and knowledge communication, including the development of recommendations for its systematic further development. Development of proposals for the integration of these recommendations into the quality management of BfN's scientific work.
Management: Hansjörg Gaus | Co-Worker: Susanne Johanna Väth, Laszlo Szentmarjay, Matthias Klapproth, Hilde FolgerStart of project: May 2018
End of project: October 2024
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International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET)
The International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) is an executive training program in development evaluation. From 2018 to 2024, it was managed jointly by [Read More]The International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) is an executive training program in development evaluation. From 2018 to 2024, it was managed jointly by the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Bern (Switzerland), the Center for Evaluation at Saarland University (Germany), and the Independent Evaluation Group of the World Bank. Since 2021, IPDET has been a key implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI).
IPDET aims to provide managers and practitioners in the field of evaluation with the tools required to evaluate policies, programs and projects at local, regional, national, and global levels, as well as to commission, manage, and especially use those evaluations for decision-making. Further information on IPDET can be found on the website: https://ipdet.org/.
Management: Stefan Silvestrini | Co-Worker: Dzoara Santoyo Castillo, Laszlo Szentmarjay, Vanessa Krieger, Reinhard Stockmann, Stefanie Krapp, Hilde Folger, Silvana Saturno | Cooperation Partner: Lifelong Learning Center, University of Bern, LLC, Independent Evaluation Group, IEG, Global Evaluation Initiative, GEIClient: World Bank Group
Organizational Consulting
Start of project: November 2023
End of project: June 2024
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Study on double counting of GIZ standard indicators at country level
Funded by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) In German development cooperation, several projects usually work towards a common goal in a [Read More]Funded by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
In German development cooperation, several projects usually work towards a common goal in a country, a region, and/or a sector, but report their results individually and often without comparing them with each other.
2022 the BMZ has introduced the "BMZ 2030" reform concept and thus decided that GIZ projects should report on 44 so-called standard indicators along defined core topics. This laid the foundation for cross-project reporting of results, which can also be used for political communication. However, due to the multiple collection of data, there is a risk that the aggregation of these indicators at the country level will overestimate the results and impacts achieved. The aim of the study was to develop a method for identifying the frequency and magnitude of these overlaps, to apply this method, and, based on the findings, to draw up recommendations on how double counting can be avoided in the future.
To this end, a quantitative "hot spot" analysis was carried out on the basis of an online survey conducted by GIZ in order to identify the potential risk of overlaps. For the subsequent validation of the actual occurrence of overlaps, empirical data was collected from interviews with portfolio managers and cluster coordinators. Based on this data, the magnitude of overlaps was estimated, and a methodologically robust solution approach was developed.
Management: Stefan Silvestrini | Co-Worker: Hilde Folger