Technopolis recently completed its evaluation of the Global Health and Vaccination (GLOBVAC) research programme for the Research Council of Norway. Each year, the GLOBVAC research programme awards approximately \u20ac13 million in funding to research seeking to improve health for poor people in low and lower-middle income countries. The largest contributor is the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The programme was launched in 2006 and is planned to continue until 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The evaluation assignment consisted of two complementary components. The first component was a brief summative evaluation of GLOBVAC1 (2006\u20132011), providing cumulative data from implemented projects, and a limited number of case studies to illustrate impact. This component supported the second, key component, namely a mid-term evaluation of GLOBVAC2 (2012\u20132015). Purpose of this mid-term evaluation was to identify the programme\u2019s strengths and weaknesses and formulate recommendations on how to maximise impact for the remainder of the programme (2016\u20132020). The evaluation was based on an analysis of the programme\u2019s funding sources and allocations, a survey amongst project leaders, and interviews with a range of stakeholders. Also the quality and relevance of the project portfolio was assessed by a panel of independent experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technopolis found that the GLOBVAC programme has filled an important gap in the Norwegian funding landscape and has been instrumental in expanding the national research community for global health and vaccination research. By supporting good quality research the programme has already achieved important results in several research fields. However, the evaluation also found that the gains made by the programme are still fragile and that further investments will be needed for sustainable, long-term impact. Technopolis has formulated a number of recommendations to further improve the impact of the programme for the remaining funding period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n