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Thematic evaluations

Improving UNICEF's result areas

Boys hold UNICEF backpacks in front of their classroom, Myanmar
UNICEF/UN0579231/Htet

Improving results

Independence forms the bedrock of good evaluation practice as it is fundamental to the credibility and utility of an evaluation.  The Evaluation Office commissions independent corporate evaluations based on its Plan for global evaluations, 2026–2029, which is informed by the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2026–2029, and developed in consultation with the Global Evaluation Committee, divisions, and offices, at the global, regional, and country levels.

Independent corporate evaluations generate and synthesize evidence to inform decision-making and support progress towards the five Impact Results of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, contributing to the realization of children’s rights. 

Below are selected recent evaluations organized by our areas of work.

Areas of work

Areas of work

UNICEF is dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment, free from violence, exploitation, and abuse. Through rigorous evaluation, we assess the effectiveness of child protection systems and community-based interventions designed to support children and families. Our evidence-based insights drive programs that strengthen family welfare services, improve justice systems for children, and foster a protective environment for vulnerable populations.

We also evaluate UNICEF’s advocacy efforts to ensure that children’s rights are upheld globally. By learning from past initiatives, UNICEF works closely with governments, partners, and communities to build policies that effectively respond to child protection challenges. Our work aims to prevent harm, support recovery for children affected by trauma, and create a world where every child can thrive in a secure environment.

Every child is protected from violence and exploitation

UNICEF acknowledges that climate change presents significant risks to children worldwide. Our evaluations examine UNICEF’s initiatives that enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities, ensuring children are protected from extreme weather events and environmental degradation. By assessing adaptation programs, educational campaigns, and climate-focused policy advocacy, we generate insights that guide meaningful climate action.

In addition, our evaluations focus on how UNICEF integrates climate considerations into existing programs. By identifying best practices in disaster preparedness, water resource management, and sustainable energy solutions, we aim to support children and their families in adapting to climate risks. UNICEF's efforts ensure that climate-related interventions prioritize children’s health, safety, and future opportunities.

Every child lives in a safe and clean environment

Education is at the heart of UNICEF's mission to empower children. Our evaluations focus on improving educational access, quality, and inclusiveness. By examining teacher training programs, digital learning initiatives, and inclusive education models, we identify strategies that equip children with essential knowledge and skills. UNICEF emphasizes learning environments that foster creativity, social inclusion, and equality for marginalized communities.

Our evaluation efforts also assess how UNICEF supports education in emergency contexts. By evaluating learning recovery strategies during crises, we help ensure children can continue their education despite conflict, displacement, or natural disasters. Our evidence-based recommendations help governments and stakeholders strengthen education systems that prepare children for future success.

Every child learns

UNICEF is committed to ensuring that all children – including those affected by humanitarian crises and living in fragile settings – have an equitable chance to survive, be healthy, well-nourished and stimulated as they grow, and benefit from the diets, services, practices and environments they need to thrive through childhood and adolescence.

Through rigorous monitoring and evaluation, UNICEF assesses the impact of its investments in nutritious diets, quality primary health care, nurturing care practices, and essential supplies. These evaluations inform evidence-based decision-making, enhance accountability, and drive improvements in programme design and delivery.

Health and nutrition represent UNICEF’s largest area of programme investment. The organization’s evaluation efforts are guided by key global frameworks, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the UNICEF Health Strategy 2016–2030, the UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs).

By prioritizing evaluation, UNICEF ensures that its health and nutrition programmes are not only reaching the most vulnerable populations but are also achieving measurable results that contribute to the well-being and development of every child.

Global evaluations addressing health and nutrition, to date, have been determined through alignment with the Strategic Plan priorities in the sector as well as stakeholder consultations.  Global health evaluations focus on strategic elements in relation to the relevance and coherence of programmes and the effectiveness and efficiency of their implementation.  Their goal is to provide evidence on what works and does not work to achieve results for children and to inform and impact decision-making by national policymakers, programme managers and governing bodies.
 
Thematic evaluations may be both summative and formative, depending on the stage of programme implementation, and rely largely on mixed methods approaches.  Many of the global health evaluations are characterized using thematic case studies.  Thematic case studies provide thorough and structured investigation into the challenges, lessons and successes of UNICEF's initiatives.  They also provide substantive content for gathering synthesized findings for the main evaluation report as well creating opportunities for cross-country learning.
 
Reflecting on the extent of global health partnership programmes, joint and inter-agency evaluations make up an important part of the global evaluations conducted to examine UNICEF’s health programmes. Joint and inter-agency evaluations provide important opportunities for greater efficiency, for example by reducing burden on countries and partners by consolidating efforts and through leveraging of partners’ comparative advantage to enhance country engagement and strengthen utility.  Key partners participating in joint and inter-agency evaluations include the World Health Organization; GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; and UNAIDS. 

Every child survives and thrives

UNICEF supports social protection programs that reduce child poverty and inequality. Our evaluations assess the impact of cash transfer programs, social insurance initiatives, and integrated services designed to support vulnerable families. By examining how these interventions improve children’s access to education, healthcare, and nutrition, we identify strategies that enhance social safety nets.

We also evaluate how UNICEF advocates for policy reforms that ensure social protection systems are inclusive and sustainable. By strengthening government capacities and supporting community initiatives, UNICEF promotes solutions that empower families, reduce economic hardship, and enhance children’s opportunities for growth and development.

Every child has an equitable chance in life

UNICEF’s WASH evaluations focus on ensuring communities have access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and effective hygiene practices. We assess the impact of infrastructure improvements, behavior change campaigns, and emergency response strategies to reduce waterborne diseases and improve public health. By evaluating these programs, UNICEF ensures interventions effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations.

In addition, our evaluations focus on how WASH initiatives integrate with education and healthcare programs. We analyze UNICEF's efforts to promote hygiene practices in schools, healthcare facilities, and households, ensuring children grow up in environments that support their health and well-being. UNICEF's evidence-based insights guide policymakers in delivering sustainable WASH solutions that create healthier futures for children worldwide.

Every child has access to clean water and hygiene

Cross-cutting evaluations on gender, disability, youth engagement, capacity development, and strategic partnerships.

To view more evaluations, visit our Evaluation Reports page.