About the Sustainable Goals Partnership
The Sustainable Development Goals Partnership (SDGP) is an initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. It supports public-private partnerships contributing to innovative solutions related to food security and sustainable entrepreneurship in developing countries. The Partnership’s primary focus is to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (ending hunger), 8 (decent jobs and economic growth) and 17 (partnerships for the goals). It has a secondary focus on SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action).
Our role
Itad is undertaking an impact evaluation of SDGP to learn more about what does and does not work to achieve results. The evaluation will assess whether the SDGP has been a relevant, effective and (cost-)efficient instrument in contributing to sustainable impact on the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
The evaluation has both learning and accountability purposes. The Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs want to learn more about what does and does not work to achieve results. An important focus is evaluating the functioning of public-private partnerships, as well as the added value of the SDGP in contributing to a transition towards inclusive and sustainable (food) systems and sectors. The evaluation is expected to provide insights and evidence of the approaches and strategies applied by the SDGP.
Our methods and approaches
The evaluation will consist of a baseline, a mid-term and an end-term study. Collection of baseline data is planned for summer 2023. The mid-term is similarly planned for summer 2024. The impact evaluation will conclude at the end of the programme in 2026.
The proposed approach to the SDGP evaluation is theory-based with contribution analysis and modular design. It comprises five components:
- Portfolio Review
- Impact Assessment
- Public-private partnerships Approach Assessment
- Transformation Review
- Analysis & Synthesis
Together, these components are designed to offer broad-based findings which speak to the SDGP portfolio as a whole, while also exploring in-depth public-private partnerships impacts and drivers of change in more detail through a case study approach involving eight case studies. This approach will allow in-depth, multi-faceted exploration of the complex issues that surround the evaluation questions in real-life settings. Through applying these components, the evaluation will assess the contribution to longer-term transformational objectives while also meeting the twin aims of learning and accountability.
Outcomes & impact
Results, conclusions, and recommendations from the evaluation will be utilised at programme and project level, as well as to inform future programming and policymaking.
To fulfil its dual purpose of facilitating learning and accountability, the evaluation is expected to:
- Provide insights and evidence to RVO to support adjustments to the programme and future strategies.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing on what works and how in relation to public-private partnerships, their role in achieving inclusive and sustainable food systems, and in supporting systems change.
- Support key stakeholders to understand if SDGP is making an impact.
