Meeting the Challenge: How the City of Kingston Is Working to Propel Evaluation Growth

Abstract

This practice note shares key learnings from the inaugural Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge (EC3) held by the Max Bell School of Public Policy in April 2023. The purpose is to give readers an opportunity to consider how to shape evaluation capacity in general and within a municipal context. Evaluation capacity building (ECB) is a multifaceted concept to support shared learning about and understanding of evaluation. Strands of learning about ECB emerged from EC3 that can be applied within organizations. These centre on three important actions: (1) establishing a community of practice led by champions, (2) scaling and sequencing evaluation capacity, and (3) developing data literacy as a technical skill. The ECB strategies developed in EC3 offered new ways for the City of Kingston to consider and reconsider how it conducts, shares, learns from, and uses evaluation. Here, the authors describe evaluation within the City of Kingston, the city’s goals in entering EC3, key learnings from the challenge, and the city’s ensuing efforts to propel the growth of evaluation.