Learning from Nine Examples of Peacebuilding Evaluation

The Evidence Summit –
A Model for Learning
and Dialogue
To facilitate learning in other parts of the United States, or in other regions
of the world, this section provides some guidance on organizing an Evidence
Summit. Organizing a Summit is a significant commitment. Some factors to
consider before deciding to hold an Evidence Summit include:
• Is your organization familiar with the peacebuilding field and the dynamic
of evaluation within that context
• Does your organization have the capacity to convene peacebuilding
stakeholders in your region
• Does your organization have the physical capacity to host a large-scale, fullday
event
• Do you have sufficient financial and human resources to facilitate a sixmonth
planning process and day-long event
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Goals and Structure
An Evidence Summit offers a unique opportunity to learn from real-world
evaluations. However, specific goals can vary. Possible goals include:
• Gauge existing regional expertise on peacebuilding evaluation in general
and specific methodologies in particular.
• Assess whether there are evaluation methodologies that best address the
specific conflict context and dynamics in your region.
• Explore the particular dynamics between donors and peacebuilding efforts
in your area.
• Strengthen relationships between implementers, donors, academics, and
evaluators in your area.
The specific goals of an Evidence Summit will and should change the structure
of the event. Based on AfP’s and USIP’s goals and the current state
of peacebuilding evaluation, ultimately, AfP and USIP decided that learning
should be framed through nine presentations on an organization’s most
successful evaluation efforts to date. This was followed by feedback from a