Enhancing impact: PUM's mid-term evaluation and recommendations

An independent mid-term evaluation has been conducted of PUM’s work funded by the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) for the period 2023–2030. The evaluation looks at the results achieved so far and provides recommendations for the second half of this period.

The independent evaluation was carried out by ACE-Europe, working with a team of Belgian evaluators, and local consultants in three selected countries. PUM has reviewed the findings and recommendations and prepared a management response, outlining how these will be addressed.

The mid-term evaluation provides insights, reflections and recommendations on the effectiveness, sustainability, relevance, alignment, efficiency and additionality of PUM’s work. It pays specific attention to PUM’s approach to working in business ecosystems. The evaluation process was consultative, evidence-based, objective and forward-looking.

Combining data and experiences from the field

The evaluation combined data from PUM’s CRM system and surveys with desk research, and interviews with PUM experts. During field visits in Benin, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, the evaluators spoke with SMEs as well as business support and member organisations allowing analysis of changes at client level.

Positive results

The evaluation confirms that the experts remain PUM’s most valuable asset: their professional expertise, commitment and coaching approach drive meaningful change for SMEs and organisations. The evaluators found that PUM’s work is effective for the majority of clients and that its volunteer model contributes to good cost-efficiency.

Areas for further development

Alongside these positive conclusions, the report identifies areas where PUM can further strengthen its approach. The recommendations address topics such as further developing the business ecosystem approach, giving greater priority to social and environmental impact, focusing on a limited number of programmes in each country, and selecting clients with strong potential for sustainable change.

Management response

PUM welcomes these clear findings and recommendations as valuable input for the second phase of the DGIS funding. In its management response, PUM’s Management Team outlines the actions it has agreed to take in response to the evaluation.

Background  information

Please find links to the final report and management response below:

• Executive summary
• Management response