USA

The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the relevance and effectiveness of different types of multilateral influencing activities implemented by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA), and to provide guidance on how to further strengthen them.

The evaluation used a theory-based approach which allowed for systematic analysis of multi-causal relationships between influencing activities, effects, and further changes in Multilaterals. Overall, 23 multilateral partner institutions of the MFA were covered, and eight of those were studied in more depth: the World Bank Group (WBG), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The evaluation’s specific objectives were as follows:

• to assess how Finland has managed to promote Agenda2030 and Finland’s Development Policy objectives in the multilateral partner organisations;
• to assess the influencing activities, means and ways used;
• to provide guidance in elaborating the new influencing plans (work in progress);
• to assess the human and financial resources available for influencing activities;
• to assess the usefulness and feasibility of having the influencing plans;
• to assess various influencing means and Finland’s best opportunities to influence (Headquarters of multilateral organisations, country offices, multi-bi projects etc.) taking into account available resources;
• to assess the Theories of Change of the influencing strategy plan (when available) and give guidance for the possible revision to better meet the objectives of Finnish Development Policy.

The final report is available here: https://um.fi/publications/-/asset_publisher/TVOLgBmLyZvu/content/evaluointiraportti-ulkoministeri-c3-b6-vaikuttaa-monenkeskisten-j-c3-a4rjest-c3-b6jen-toimintaan-1/384998