From evaluation to action: navigating constraints & uptake of evaluations...

Joint EvalforEarth - ALNAP Session: From evaluation to action: navigating constraints and uptake of evaluations in fragile and conflict-affected settings As humanitarian needs intensified amid increasingly complex crises and shrinking resources, the demand for credible, timely, and useful evidence became even more important. At the same time, conducting evaluations in resource-constrained, fragile and conflict-affected settings continued to present distinct operational, ethical, and methodological challenges. Evaluators and commissioners faced limited access, security risks, data scarcity, political sensitivities, and constrained budgets. Through a facilitated discussion, speakers reflected on the key challenges they had encountered and the strategies they had used to address them. These included designing evaluations under severe resource and time limitations; adapting methodologies to contexts with restricted access or unreliable data; managing risks related to staff safety and ethical considerations; and navigating power dynamics between international and local actors. Particular attention was given to how organizations worked to ensure that evaluations remained useful and actionable despite these constraints. By the end of the webinar, participants had gained a clearer understanding of practical strategies for commissioning and conducting evaluations in constrained environments, as well as a deeper appreciation of the contextual factors that influenced evaluation quality and use. They also had the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences, learn from others, and exchange ideas on what worked, what did not, and why.