IEvD Explores Evaluation Learnings on Project Sustainability at Glocal Evaluation Week
Jeddah, KSA, 3 June 2025 —The Independent Evaluation Department (IEvD) recently hosted an insightful webinar titled "Beyond Projects: Evaluating Sustainability, Efficiency, and Growth for a Lasting Development Impact" as part of the Glocal Evaluation Week.
IEvD’s Director, Br. Mohameden Mohamed Sidiya, opened the session by emphasizing the critical importance of long-term thinking in development work. "As development actors, we know that success cannot be measured by project completion alone. True impact lies in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the development results achieved by the interventions.", he stated, setting the tone for a thought-provoking discussion on project sustainability and adaptive learning through evaluation.
Dr. Ahmed Abdelgawad delivered a key presentation focused on lessons learned from IEvD project evaluations. His analysis highlighted critical challenges including poor sustainability planning, inadequate operation and maintenance frameworks, and over-reliance on donor financing while emphasizing that evaluation must be concerned with the sustainability of project outputs beyond immediate completion.
The subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Br. Javeed Ahsan, featured valuable contributions from three distinguished speakers who addressed critical aspects of development project sustainability. Dr. Mohamed Suhail from IsDB's Special & Trust Funds Division discussed scaling mobile healthcare initiatives in fragile settings and underserved populations, focusing on barriers to sustainability including limited government ownership and service continuity gaps, while also addressing strategies to strengthen countries' institutional capacities for ensuring sustainability and ownership. Br. Wadi Yousif from BADEA's Independent Evaluation Division analyzed the causes of cost overruns and delays in development projects, examining how evaluation processes can identify systemic planning gaps and support strategies to improve project efficiency.
Br. Mohammed Alsayed Ahmad from IsDB's IEvD introduced the significance of sustainability in development projects and conducted a comparative analysis of sustainability outcomes between public-financed versus private sector-financed projects, while exploring measures needed to ensure financial and technical viability of public-financed projects from design to closure.
Three fundamental principles for sustainability emerged from the discussions. First, sustainability cannot be an afterthought but must be embedded at the project design stage, including planning for local ownership, ongoing maintenance, and financial viability beyond donor funding. Second, successful projects require localizing both services and financing mechanisms, with capacity building tailored to specific local needs to reduce over-reliance on external donors. Third, development initiatives should be integrated into existing national programs and institutional frameworks rather than operating as standalone projects, to ensure continuity.
This webinar is part of IEvD's broader EvalTalks initiative, a series of learning events designed to enhance evaluation knowledge and practice. Staff can look forward to upcoming EvalTalks webinars which will explore other relevant topics related to evaluation and development impact.
IEvD’s Director, Br. Mohameden Mohamed Sidiya, opened the session by emphasizing the critical importance of long-term thinking in development work. "As development actors, we know that success cannot be measured by project completion alone. True impact lies in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the development results achieved by the interventions.", he stated, setting the tone for a thought-provoking discussion on project sustainability and adaptive learning through evaluation.
Dr. Ahmed Abdelgawad delivered a key presentation focused on lessons learned from IEvD project evaluations. His analysis highlighted critical challenges including poor sustainability planning, inadequate operation and maintenance frameworks, and over-reliance on donor financing while emphasizing that evaluation must be concerned with the sustainability of project outputs beyond immediate completion.
The subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Br. Javeed Ahsan, featured valuable contributions from three distinguished speakers who addressed critical aspects of development project sustainability. Dr. Mohamed Suhail from IsDB's Special & Trust Funds Division discussed scaling mobile healthcare initiatives in fragile settings and underserved populations, focusing on barriers to sustainability including limited government ownership and service continuity gaps, while also addressing strategies to strengthen countries' institutional capacities for ensuring sustainability and ownership. Br. Wadi Yousif from BADEA's Independent Evaluation Division analyzed the causes of cost overruns and delays in development projects, examining how evaluation processes can identify systemic planning gaps and support strategies to improve project efficiency.
Br. Mohammed Alsayed Ahmad from IsDB's IEvD introduced the significance of sustainability in development projects and conducted a comparative analysis of sustainability outcomes between public-financed versus private sector-financed projects, while exploring measures needed to ensure financial and technical viability of public-financed projects from design to closure.
Three fundamental principles for sustainability emerged from the discussions. First, sustainability cannot be an afterthought but must be embedded at the project design stage, including planning for local ownership, ongoing maintenance, and financial viability beyond donor funding. Second, successful projects require localizing both services and financing mechanisms, with capacity building tailored to specific local needs to reduce over-reliance on external donors. Third, development initiatives should be integrated into existing national programs and institutional frameworks rather than operating as standalone projects, to ensure continuity.
This webinar is part of IEvD's broader EvalTalks initiative, a series of learning events designed to enhance evaluation knowledge and practice. Staff can look forward to upcoming EvalTalks webinars which will explore other relevant topics related to evaluation and development impact.