Getting to zero: Good practices from synthesis of UNFPA country programme evaluations

Evaluative evidence can play a vital role in supporting the capacity of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to realize its goals. In particular, it can facilitate a deeper understanding of what is working across the organization, support the optimal use of resources, maximise the organization’s value added and allow for a deeper analysis of, and greater attention to the sustainability of its initiatives. In this view, the UNFPA Evaluation Office commissioned a synthesis of findings from 57 UNFPA country programme evaluation reports that were conducted between 2012 and 2018.2 This synthesis comes at a timely juncture coinciding with the 50th anniversary of UNFPA and the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). It is an opportune moment to for UNFPA to critically reflect on its achievements and ahead at the work to be done.

By aggregating and analysing the results of these evaluations, the exercise identified common good practices that can accelerate UNFPA and partners’ efforts to achieve the organization’s three transformative results.
1. End preventable maternal deaths
2. End unmet need for family planning
3. End gender-based violence and all harmful practices