End-of-Cycle Evaluation United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF) 2017-2021

The Evaluation of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF) reviewed the implementation of complex and layered interventions across the 18 MSDF countries in the period 2017- 2021. These interventions were implemented by a range of UN agencies and a series of government and inter-governmental stakeholders at national and regional levels.

The Evaluation itself was conducted under COVID-19 conditions, precluding the evaluator’s travel to the region. Despite the associated challenges, and its very broad scope, the Evaluation presents an important record of the MSDF’s achievements and its innovative features.

Upon review, the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) for the MSDF believes that a more in-depth study could better have described the genesis of the first MSDF and the context within which it was designed. Some of this context would help explain the shortcomings of the MSDF. In addition, the RSC notes that the Evaluation was not able to assess changes (positive and negative) resulting from the introduction of wider reforms to the UN Development System (from late 2018).

These reservations notwithstanding, the Evaluation was endorsed by the MSDF Regional Steering Committee in June 2021.