EVALUATION ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN “ Fostering a Professional Evaluation Culture for Happiness”

1. EVALUATION ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN “Fostering a Professional Evaluation Culturefor Happiness” Sonam Wangyel Wang (PhD) Executive Director

2. WHAT IS EAB? EAB – Evaluation Association of Bhutan “Informal” association/community of Bhutanese evaluators Individual membership only – open and no fees as of now Member of the Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) Similar to Community of Evaluators (CoEs) in other countries

3. WHY EAB? • Because there is an urgent need to: • Advocate development evaluation across all sectors and among all stakeholders • Contribute to strengthening the evaluation quality and functions • Build evaluation capacity and forge professional networks • Contribute to ensuring cost-effectiveness, achievement of results and sustainability of development programmes/projects • Provide a suitable platform for focused dialogue and discourse on evaluation • Create demand for high quality evaluations

4. EAB ORGANIZATION (1/2) Bhutan EvalYear Forum on Evaluation for Gross National Happiness

5. EAB ORGANIZATION • Interim Board of Directors • Chair – Ms Kunzang Lhamu, ED/NCWC • Member – Ms Phuntsho Wangyel, RED/GHNC • Member – Mr Sangay Tshering, Green E Solutions • Member – Ms Dechen Zangmo, UNICEF • Member – Tashi Dorji, GNHC • Member Secretary – ED, EAB • Interim Secretariat • Executive Director – Sonam W. Wang (PhD), • Treasurer – Ms Chimmi Dema, GNHC

6. So far • 11th July 2013 • First meeting of like-minded individuals and organizations • Agreed to keep the association “informal” with RED/GNHC as the interim coordinating body • Formed and activated five Task Teams • Driving forces: GNHC/RGOB and UNICEF Bhutan • Involvement of Parlimantarians • About 100 “informal” individual members, as of now • Facebook Group page created and very active

7. So far • 5 – 6 Sep 2013: Cross Learning Training on Evaluation Experiences between Bhutan and Nepal • Supported by EvalPartners/IOCE as a P2P programme among VOPEs • Interim leadership and management elected • EAB Secretariat activated • 1 Feb - 31 Oct 2014: Management Response to Evaluation Study • P2P programme (Bangladesh – Bhutan – Nepal) • 18 – 20 Dec 2014: Impact Evaluation Training

8. THE WAY FORWARD/key results • EAB proposal for formal registration with CSOA • CSO registration application filed with the CSO Authority – for registration as an MBO (mutual benefit organization) • Jun 2016: • EAB Policy • EAB Communications Strategy & Action Plan 2016-2018 • National Evaluation Policy of Bhutan

9. THE WAY FORWARD/key results • Bhutan Evaluation Agenda 2016 – 2020 • Adapting the Global Evaluation Agenda 2016-2020/SDGs to Bhutan’s context and prioritizing it • National Evaluation Policy approval and implementation • Integrating EAB’s Communications Strategy & Action Plan 2016-2018 • Membership drive • Focus on individual members from various stakeholders

10. CHALLENGES (& opportunities) • Registration with the CSO Authority • Long process + uncertainty of outcome • Financial resources to: • Formally set up EAB – start • Meet day-to-day operational expenses • Commitment of interim Board members and office bearers • Voluntary/part-time basis • Capacity

11. www.evalbhutan.org info@evalbhutan.org CONTACT EAB