Since its establishment, the UNEG National Evaluation Capacity Development (NECD) Working Group has provided a platform for UNEG members to support and strengthen national evaluation systems. Its mission is to enhance decision-making and promote sustainable development through inclusive, gender-responsive, and locally-owned evaluation practices. This work aligns with UNEG’s Strategic Objective 3 and supports the implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/237, which emphasizes strengthening national evaluation capacities as part of the broader development agenda.

 Key achievements include the 2022 publication of a report on implementing the UNGA Resolution, which was disseminated widely at events such as the EES Biennial Conference, IDEAS, and other forums, and gLOCAL Evaluation Week as part of the GEI. The report provided recommendations to UN agencies who should promote national evaluation capacity development (NECD) through their evaluations, strengthen national evaluation ecosystems per UNGA Resolution 69/237, and enhance coordination at all levels, dedicating sufficient time and resources to NECD efforts.

 In 2023, the group advanced its work through two studies: a Comparative Analysis of NECD commitments in UN agency evaluation policies and a Lessons-Learned report from joint and country-led evaluations. Finalized in 2024, the working group is investigating the importance of national evaluation capabilities - a subtle but yet important nuance from capacities- presented at the 2024 NEC and proposed during 2025 EPE and advancing the group's work in practical ways to better support member states by harmonizing approaches and facilitating collaboration. Through these efforts, the NECD Working Group is helping to build robust national evaluation systems to drive sustainable development.

Working Group webinars

• National Evaluation Capacity Development: We can all do it! 1 December 2022 
• Are We Advancing National Evaluation Capacities for the SDGs? Lessons from UNEG, 1 June 2022