1. Evaluating ESD in RCEs: The Start-up Tools

2. Evaluation Documentation of RCE development: constitutive evaluation
Inquiry into the RCE’s successes, coordination and collaborative learning: appreciative and developmental evaluation
Value creation assessment of the RCE’s overall work

3. Goals of RCE Evaluation
Collectively Learn
through an appreciative review of the RCE
documented in the evaluation report
Sustainability
improve transformative learning and sustainability
recorded as case study evidence of activities
Strengthen RCE
As individual RCEs and in the RCE network
reflected in the capacity development training strategy

4. Stages in RCE Evaluation
Preparation
Stakeholders receive information on RCE activities
Relevant data is collected from stakeholders and partners
Evaluation
Evaluation steps
Results are recorded and discussed
Follow ups agreed
Follow up
Sharing of evaluation records with participants and stakeholders
Follow ups are included in the RCE Action Plan

5. Discussion Focus Expected learning Expected outcome Step 1 Step 2
Step 1 – Constitutive evaluation of the RCE
Core elements: governance, network, RCE strategy, activities
Understanding of RCE evolution
Participants discuss how to improve RCE programmes
Step 2 – Appreciative review of activities and impact
RCE’s activities and their results
Better understanding of outcomes of RCE activities
Ideas for continuation of promising projects and collaborations
Step 3 – Developmental review of RCE activities and impact
Sustainability of RCE’s activities and their contribution to sustainability of the region
Understanding of sustainability of RCE’s activities and their added value to the region
Better use of RCE resources and increased value of activities
Step 4 – Developmental review of learning, impact and strategy
RCE focus areas, partnerships, capacity
Co-production of new knowledge to better steer sustainable ways of being
Collaborative actions
Step 5 – Appreciative / developmental review of networking
Networking with the RCE Service Centre, other RCEs, and networks
Understanding of how external network engagement supports the work of the RCE partnership
Collaborations with other RCEs and RCE Service Centre
Step 6 – Review of value creation
Open discussion, left-over areas not covered in steps 1-5
Understanding of how value added by the RCE is appreciated
Agreement on use of data and follow-up-plan of actions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 4
Step 3
Step 5
Step 6

6. Step 1 – Constitutive evaluation of the RCE
Core elements: governance, network, RCE strategy, activities
Understanding of RCE evolution
Participants discuss how to improve RCE programmes
The RCE Journey
How did the RCE evolve? How has membership changed? What are the ESD initiatives?
How does the RCE address local issues?
What can be done to improve the RCE work and how?

7. Step 2 – Appreciative review of activities and impact
RCE activities and their results
Better understanding of outcomes of RCE activities
Ideas for continuation of promising projects and collaborations
Activities and Impact
How has the portfolio of RCE activities evolved?
What were the most successful activities and why?
Give examples of how successful collaboration produced these impacts?
How can initiatives be up-scaled and mainstreamed?
How could the RCE do better?
in the RCE (inward focus)
in the region (outward focus)

8. Step 3 – Developmental review of RCE’s activities and impact
Sustainability of RCE’s activities and their contribution to sustainability in the region?
Understanding sustainability of RCE’s activities and their added value to the region
Better use of RCE resources and increased value of activities
Transformation and Sustainability
What flagship initiatives reflect the success of the RCE?
For these initiatives, what is the scale of a) knowledge and b) practice transformation over a period of 12/24/36 months
What resources and governance allowed for success?
What, besides funding, can be done to overcome barriers and sustain the work of the RCE?

9. Step 4 – Developmental review of learning, impact and strategy
RCE focus areas, partnerships, capacity
Co-production of new knowledge to better steer sustainable ways of being
Collaborative actions
Strategic Areas and Links
What strategic focus areas, partnerships, activities have been successful? What can be done to improve learning and effectiveness (resourcing, partnerships, and scale)?
How can existing linkages and processes be strengthened? What new strategic links and capacity development could be explored?

10. Step 5 – Appreciative / developmental review of networking
Networking with the Service Centre, other RCEs, and networks
Understanding of how external network engagement supports the work of the RCE partnership
Collaborations with other RCEs and the Service Centre
Global RCE Service Centre
What are the benefits of acknowledgement? How is the RCE interacting with the Service Centre? How is the RCE working with other RCEs and what are the successes and challenges?
How was participation in global and regional RCE conferences and follow-up activities? How could regional and global RCE activities be improved to strengthen the RCE work?

11. Step 6 – Review of value creation
Open discussion, left-over areas not covered in steps 1-5
Understanding of how value added by the RCE is appreciated?
Agreement on use of data and follow-up plan of actions
Value Creation Assessment
What were the most meaningful RCE activities discussed? What potential values is each activity producing?
What difference has this made for the RCE in terms of what matters in each project? What new understandings of what produces measurable value have become evident?