DHAKA, Feb 19, 2025 (BSS) - The Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the 
Ministry of Finance, has signed a grant agreement worth $366,500 (Taka 439.80 
Lakh) with the UNICEF, United Nations International Children's Emergency 
Fund, officially known as United Nations Children's Fund.

The agreement titled "Enhancing Evaluation Capacity for Development (EEC4D)" 
which was signed yesterday will contribute to implement the three-year 
project of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under 
the Ministry of Planning. 

The overall objective of the project is to enhance the evaluation capacity of 
the government agencies for institutionalizing evidence-based, efficient and 
effective investment for sustainable development, said an ERD press release 
here today. 

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the ERD and Rana Flowers, country 
representative of UNICEF Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their 
respective sides. 

Representatives from the UN Wing of ERD and concerned government agencies 
were present at the signing ceremony.
 
UNICEF has been a long-term partner for Bangladesh with its wide legacy and 
focus on children rights. UNICEF has been supporting both nationwide 
humanitarian response and development programmes.
 
Through the most recent project contributed to develop an evaluation policy 
and upcoming project is designed to enhance evaluation capacity of the 
government agencies for institutionalizing evidence-based, efficient, and 
effective investment for sustainable development. 

By the end of next three years, the project is expected to develop an 
evaluation policy implementation framework, draft evaluation act, rules for 
evaluation, develop evaluation training modules and guidelines to develop the 
national evaluation capacity. 

UNICEF supports the strategic plan of GoB and contributes towards the 
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) notably support to 
end poverty (Goal 1), healthy lives (Goal 3) and quality education (Goal 4).
 
As evaluation plays a crucial role in shaping effective development 
strategies, countries with strong national evaluation systems are likely to 
achieve the development goals on time and within budget. 

By investing in evaluation capacity, Bangladesh is paving the way for more 
efficient resource allocation, impactful interventions, and attaining 
sustainable socio-economic growth.