Independent Evaluation 2018

This is the final report of an independent evaluation commissioned by PEN International of its work over the last four years (2015-2018) focusing on the Swedish International Development Agency’s (Sida) core grant - approximately £2.7m over four years. The aim is to provide a rigorous analysis of the organisation’s achievements and learning, and to help PEN strategise for the way forward.

The evaluation lasted roughly seven months (May-Nov 2018) during which time 100 stakeholders were interviewed from across the organisation (Secretariat, Board, former staffers, elected PEN Centre officials and ordinary PEN members) as well as external partners and other human rights organisations; five PEN Centres (Philippines, Argentina, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda) were visited; 70 documents were consulted; an online survey of 106 PEN members (representing a 25% response rate) was conducted; and three PEN workshops, including the PEN annual Congress in India, were attended. Read the evaluation report here.

A short video of the evaluation process and findings is below.