Youth in Evaluation standards: Self-reporting guidelines for 2026

Eval4Action is calling on organizations to self-report their progress in meaningfully engaging young people in evaluation following the Youth in Evaluation standards. The self-reporting of Youth in Evaluation standards is managed by the EvalYouth Global Network, a co-leader of the Eval4ction campaign. 

Through the 2026 self-reporting process, your organization has the opportunity to build on this momentum, share your own successes, and potentially be recognized among the next cohort of Youth in Evaluation champions. Previously in 2024 and 2025, Youth in Evaluation champions set a high bar for global best practices, strengthening the entire movement to advance meaningful engagement of young people in evaluation.

Follow the guidelines below to complete your self-assessment for the 2026 reporting cycle and contribute to the global effort to advance youth in evaluation. The self-assessment should cover activities and initiatives undertaken during 2025. The submission deadline for the 2026 self-assessments is 31 January 2026.

Guidelines for organizations completing their first self-assessment in 2026

If your organization is completing its self-assessment for the first time, follow these seven steps to ensure a thorough and meaningful review of your practices:

1. Find the most relevant standards for your organization. Standards are available for academia, governments, the private sector, international organizations, Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs)/EvalYouth chapters, and youth organizations. Each standard is accompanied by a self-assessment tool.

2. Share and discuss the standards with the leadership/management of your organization. Achieve buy-in and endorsement from your organization’s leadership to ensure the self-assessment is supported and acted upon.

3. Initiate a dialogue within the organization. Organize a pre-arranged meeting with representatives from each unit or section to discuss current practices in engaging youth in evaluation. Familiarize relevant staff with the Youth in Evaluation standards.

4. Assign a team to undertake the self-assessment. Designate a dedicated team to conduct the review and formulate recommendations to improve organizational practices for advancing the meaningful engagement of youth in evaluation.

5. Conduct your self-assessment using the provided tool. Choose the relevant customized assessment sheet for your organization, which is available for download in two different formats under each standard on this page.

6. Share the self-assessment report. Submit the self-assessment report, including good practices, to contact@eval4action.org by 31 January 2026. The report can include the finalized assessment sheet (Excel/Google sheet) together with a slide deck that highlights good practices and progress. Sharing this information facilitates cross-fertilization of knowledge among other organizations. EvalYouth will get back to you if any further information is required for the reported performance. 
   

Guidelines for organizations completing their second or subsequent self-assessment in 2026

These guidelines are for organizations that completed the Youth in Evaluation standards self-assessment in a previous cycle (e.g., in 2025) and are now submitting their subsequent report in 2026.

1. Review your previous self-assessment report. Begin by reviewing your last report and identify any updates or changes in your reporting.

2. Focus on reporting on 2025 activities and initiatives. While reporting in 2026, focus primarily on activities and initiatives related to youth engagement in evaluation conducted throughout 2025. Remember to consider the long-term validity of certain policies, projects, and resources. For example, if a policy related to youth engagement was reported previously and remains valid for 2025, simply confirm its continued validity and score accordingly.

3. Highlight new initiatives and significant progress. Use the comment section in the sheet to provide details and context about successes, challenges, and any new initiatives or significant progress made since your last assessment.

4. Share the self-assessment report. Submit the self-assessment report, including good practices, to contact@eval4action.org by 31 January 2026.