1.3 Evaluation questions

As far as data allowed, the evaluation explored who, and who is not, able to access clean and efficient energy via UNDP support, and which groups are less able to convert energy access into development benefits. It considers differences in the way men and women are engaged by UNDP initiatives, as well as the groups that often face challenges because of their geographic location, socioeconomic and position, disability or other factors.

As UNDP is not expected, in any context, to achieve universal energy access or transition alone, the evaluation considers how the organization uses and contributes to partnerships in pursuit of SDg 7. Finally, in seeking to understand the factors that influenced the effectiveness of UNDP in this area, the evaluation describes how its internal processes enable or hinder the ability of the organization’s ability to contribute to universal energy access and transition. It also captures the major external factors that influence the effectiveness of the UNDP contribution in various country contexts.

The evaluation assessed the UNDP energy portfolio according to the norms and standards for evaluation set out by the United Nations Evaluation group, including criteria designed to gauge the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, coherence and sustainability of UNDP interventions. The following overarching questions frame the evaluation:

Relevance and coherence

1. To what extent is UNDP energy support aligned with global, regional and national energy policies, programmes and investments?

2. To what extent are the three components of the UNDP energy portfolio aligned towards common objectives?

3. To what extent does UNDP support for energy connect to other development sectors and initiatives in order to ensure it contributes to all SDgs?

Effectiveness

4. To what extent is the UNDP energy portfolio achieving the objectives of its stated outputs and outcomes?

5. which groups are most / least able to access and benefit from UNDP energy access and transition support, and why?

6. what internal and external factors have influenced the ability of UNDP to increase energy access and support transition away from polluting forms of energy production and consumption?

Impact

7. To what extent have UNDP energy results led to intended human development and environmental benefits?

8. To what extent is the UNDP service offering appropriate to the renewed efforts to achieve SDg 7 by 2030?

Sustainability

9. How well has UNDP support accounted for factors known to influence the sustainability of energy interventions?