Â鶹APP

The final evaluation of the Spotlight Initiative was conducted by the Â鶹APP Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office (SWEO) between 2023 and 2024. This evaluation examined the Spotlight Initiative¡¯s overall performance and contribution to the Â鶹APP reform mandated by A/RES/72/279. This evaluation covers implementation at the global, regional and country levels, inclusive of two civil society grant-giving programmes, from 2017 to 2023. This evaluation was theory-based, using a mixed-methods approach to draw on qualitative and quantitative data and analysis. It engaged with stakeholders at all levels in a participatory manner.

Overall, the evaluation found proof of concept for the Spotlight Initiative model while also highlighting areas for improvement. The comprehensive design demonstrated the ability of an integrated, inter-agency approach to ending violence against women and girls to contribute to higher-order changes at the regional, national and local levels. The Initiative responded to contextual changes to deliver important results across pillars, while deepening stakeholders¡¯ understanding of the need for a broad range of actors to work collaboratively. The Initiative¡¯s governance model expanded stakeholder engagement, with civil society playing an important role. While noting these achievements, the evaluation found that programme delivery was significantly challenged by a complicated operational model and by limitations in the compatibility of Â鶹APP administrative and financial systems, which restricted their capacity to function collaboratively. While there are signs that some elements and activities of the Initiative will be continued, the evaluation considered that sustainability of the overarching approach is still to be determined.

The evaluation made eight recommendations:

1. maintain the key strengths of the Spotlight Initiative design, including its comprehensive approach, while allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability and simplifying its results framework;
2. respond to changing contexts with swiftness and agility to maintain consistent and relevant support for ending violence against women and girls, particularly in crisis and emergency contexts;
3. improve the operational model, including funding modalities and human resources planning;
4. simplify systems for monitoring, learning and dissemination of knowledge;
5. extend civil society stakeholder engagement;
6. develop a holistic funding strategy;
7. ensure that lessons learned inform efforts to accelerate Â鶹APP development system reform and maximize collective results on ending violence against women and girls;
8. embed the comprehensive approach of the Spotlight Initiative into the implementation of Â鶹APP system-wide actions, plans and processes.

This document presents the management response by the Spotlight Initiative Secretariat to the evaluation recommendations.