Real Time Evaluation of RVO’s Energising Development programme (EnDev)

At the request of RVO, SEO Amsterdam Economics, PwC and VU University Amsterdam carried out a real-time evaluation of its Energising Development programme (EnDev) between 2020 and 2025. EnDev is an international programme that promotes sustainable access to modern energy for households, social institutions and enterprises in low- and middle-income countries. Under its 2019–2025 strategy, EnDev aimed to move from linear growth to market transformation and sector transition so as to better contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (‘SDG7’): Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. SEO led the process evaluation and designed and implemented two broad EnDev stakeholder surveys.

The main goal of the process evaluation was to assess to what extent EnDev’s organisational processes and management structure were ‘fit for purpose’ in relation to OECD-DAC criteria (efficiency, relevance, effectiveness, impact, sustainability) and additionality. The SEO team carried out an in-depth review of three core processes: Portfolio Review, Programming, and Innovation. Evaluation methods included document analysis, structured assessment of tools such as the Project Assessment Tool, and semi-structured interviews with key representatives from EnDev management (RVO and GIZ) and EnDev country teams. SEO also designed and analysed two large online surveys among EnDev management, staff, partner organisations and other key stakeholders in 2021 and 2023.