50: Regenerative Evaluation with Jannik Kaiser

I chat with Jannik Kaiser about regenerative evaluation, an approach that asks how evaluation itself can contribute to flourishing. We discussed Jannik's background in evaluation and what led him to regenerative evaluation, how and why the approach was developed, what regenerative evaluation is and an example of regenerative evaluation in practice, and more. "Too often, evaluation is experienced as a "tax" on doing good: an extractive exercise where we mine data from communities to feed upward reporting structures. It reinforces a power dynamic where the funder holds the yardstick and the community bears the burden of proof. We count the fruits while depleting the soil. But I believe - and have witnessed first hand - that evaluation can be a source of vitality and justice, not just accountability." - Regenerative Evaluation Living Paper: Influences, Pathways, & Practices Resources Introduction to the Regenerative Evaluation Living Paper Regenerative Evaluation Living Paper: Influences, Pathways, & Practices Impact Garden M&E in Complexity: Presenting a methodology for making credible claims Capacity Compass Regenerative Evaluation Community of Practice About Jannik Kaiser Jannik Kaiser is the Co-founder and CEO of Unity Effect, where he leads the area of Regenerative Measurement and Evaluation. As the main editor of the Regenerative Evaluation Living Paper, Jannik has dedicated his career to bridging complexity science with participatory practice. He advocates for transforming evaluation from a compliance-driven reporting requirement into a regenerative intervention in itself: one that gives more energy than it takes and actively shifts institutional power. His work encompasses a broad spectrum of contributions, ranging from advising global organizations such as the ILO and UN agencies, to developing open-source frameworks such as the Impact Garden, Capacity Compass, and Methodology for Credible Claims in Complexity, to empower purpose-driven organizations worldwide. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannik-kaiser/