EvalFest 2026 – ECOI Biennial Conference on Development Evaluation

The Evaluation Community of India (ECOI) successfully convened EvalFest 2026, its biennial conference on Development Evaluation, from 10–13 February 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Dr. Rajesh Tandon chaired the plenary session on “Evaluation in a Complex New World Order” on 11 February 2026.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Evaluations in Complex and Evolving Contexts: Harmonising Youth, Innovation, and Impact,” reflected the rapidly transforming development evaluation landscape. Initiated nearly two decades ago, EvalFest continues to serve as a national platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue on best practices, and critical reflection on emerging actors, methodologies, and perspectives—particularly the mainstreaming of marginalised voices and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

The 2026 conference explored recent advancements in evaluation, including the role of artificial intelligence and technology, youth and citizen engagement, community participation, capacity building, and other emerging priorities. The programme featured keynote addresses, plenary discussions, panel sessions, workshops, paper presentations, and networking engagements, fostering rich professional exchange and collaborative learning.

The plenary session critically examined the evolving role of evaluation amid fragile and rapidly shifting global contexts. Discussions focused on how evaluation praxis must respond to contemporary turbulence while maintaining rigour in assessing outcomes and impact. The session also addressed pressing concerns such as social inequity, gender disparities, human rights, and climate change. Emphasis was placed on strengthening stakeholder engagement—particularly the voices of citizens and communities—to advance evidence-informed and empathetic pathways for change.

Speakers in the plenary represented bilateral agencies, government institutions, and international organizations, contributing diverse perspectives to the dialogue on evaluation theory and practice in today’s complex global environment.

Click here to read the concept note.