AFDB Development Evaluation Week 2016 Essay Contest – Up to USD2,000

The African Development Bank is calling for essay submissions for the AfDB Development Evaluation Week 2016. 

Theme of Contest: The theme of the 2016 contest is:  “Evaluating the AfDB “High 5’s” for transforming Africa.” AfDB is looking for essays that offer practical and innovative solutions on evaluating the “High 5’s” and that focus on value, innovative approaches, challenges or other relevant aspects of evaluating long term development challenges.
Eligible Countries: AfDB regional member countries
To be taken at (country): Abidjan, Ivory Coast
About the Award: Submissions are now being accepted for the AfDB Development Evaluation Week 2016 Essay Contest. The contest is open to AfDB regional member country nationals who have proven experience and/or an educational background in evaluation.

Type: Essay Contest
Eligibility: Essays may be written in either English or French (3,000–4,000 words). All essays should be submitted in Word and pdf format and include an abstract. Submissions must be original and unpublished papers, and must include reference notes and a bibliography if other authors’ works are cited. Submissions will be judged (by a panel comprising AfDB and non-AfDB evaluation and other development professionals) on the following criteria:

*Focus of the essay on the topic and how well the main                                                                    point is supported with well-developed  reasons and/or examples

• Clear description of the rationale for the approach proposed
• Creativity, originality and a fresh point of view
• “Realness” of analysis and solutions proposed for the African context
• Valuable content and/or research incorporated into the essay
• Clear presentation of the topic, including organization and format of the essay
• Language use and style, including spelling/grammar/mechanics/word Count

Number of Awardees: 5 finalists, 1 winner
Value of Contest: The top five essays will receive a trophy and a certificate, and the essays will be published in eVALUAtion Matters, AfDB’s quarterly knowledge publication. In addition, the author of the best essay will receive a $2,000 bursary to attend Evaluation Week in Cote d’Ivoire; the runner-up will receive a $1,500 bursary to attend Evaluation Week; and the second runner up will receive a $1000 bursary to attend Evaluation Week. Winners will be notified by end September and announced at AfDB Evaluation Week.

Duration of Contest: 1 week

How to Apply: To enter the 2016 Essay Contest, submit your essay along with a cover sheet indicating your name, affiliation, gender, nationality, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone/fax number (if available), and a note on how you learned about the contest. Also include a one-page CV showing your educational or professional experience in evaluation.
Submit your essays via email to evaluationweek@afdb.org.
Please note that submitted essays will not be returned. Any essay that does not follow the criteria specified above will be disqualified.

Application Deadline: 15th September, 2016.


Visit The official webpage
Award Provider: The African Development Bank
Important Notes: Bursaries will paid in cash at the conference; winners are expected to make their own arrangements to attend the conference