Across Europe, a new generation of evaluators is stepping into a field that is evolving fast, and from our hands-on experience with students and young fellow evaluators, we see that they are asking important questions about how to build meaningful and sustainable careers. Supporting their growth is not just an act of inclusion; it’s a strategic investment in the vitality and innovation of the evaluation profession.
A Listening Space for Young Evaluators
At the recent Associazione Italiana di Valutazione (AIV) Congress in Bari, young professionals under 30 took part in dedicated career coaching sessions led by Cinzia Lombardo, member of the AIV Directive Board. These sessions were part of AIV’s broader listening initiative designed to better understand and support early-career evaluators.
Participants raised questions that resonate widely within our community:
What value does international experience add? Is a PhD necessary? Which specialization has the strongest market relevance?
These are not questions with single answers. The evaluation field has no codified career path. Yet, open dialogue — and guidance from experienced professionals — can help younger colleagues navigate the many options available.
From Technical Skills to Deeper Reflections
What became clear from the career coaching sessions is that young evaluators are looking for more than technical competence. Many are also exploring deeper questions around leadership, recognition, well-being, and lifelong learning. Their reflections show that motivation in evaluation goes far beyond generational stereotypes. It’s about finding purpose, balance, and a sense of contribution.
For mentors, managers, and senior evaluators, this shift could be an opportunity to rethink how we engage with emerging professionals. Supporting them means more than transferring knowledge. It means listening and co-creating spaces for mutual learning.
Three Reflections for Mentors
AIV’s experience offers useful insights for the broader evaluation community. As the AIV Board we reflect on how to support younger professionals, three guiding questions emerge:
- Are we truly listening?
Are we hearing what young evaluators need, or are we projecting our own past experiences onto them?
2. Are we offering constructive feedback?
Do our comments and reviews help them grow, or do they reinforce hierarchy rather than learning?
3. Are we open to feedback in return?
Do we create safe spaces where early-career colleagues can also share insights and suggestions with us?
These questions are simple but powerful. They invite a culture of reciprocal learning and shared responsibility — essential elements for a strong and connected evaluation community.
The Role of Evaluation Societies
Evaluation societies across Europe have an essential role to play in sustaining this intergenerational dialogue. They can:
- Expand mentoring programmes and match emerging evaluators with experienced peers.
- Support communities of practice where younger professionals can exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions.
- Promote cross-country peer learning, leveraging Europe’s diversity to enrich professional growth.
Such initiatives strengthen not only individual careers but also the collective capacity of the evaluation ecosystem. They foster inclusivity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
Why This Matters
Investing in young evaluators ensures that the profession continues to adapt and thrive. Their fresh perspectives bring new energy, creativity, and critical reflection — qualities needed to face today’s complex policy environments.
Listening to them is not about managing a “younger generation.” It’s about building the future together — one grounded in dialogue, trust, and shared purpose.
Conclusion
The AIV’s under-30 initiative in Bari is a reminder that professional growth starts with connection. When we listen and learn across generations, we nurture a community where every voice matters — and where the evaluation profession can continue to evolve with relevance and integrity.
- What is your experience with supporting young evaluators’ growth? What is your perception their needs?
- Would you like to share any experiences you have had with supporting the professional development of young colleagues?
- What is your perception and/or experience regarding the needs of younger generations of evaluators?
Reach out with your thoughts to elisabetta.venezia@uniba.it. We would love to hear from you
Bio:
Elisabetta Venezia, PhD, is Adj. Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Bari Aldo Moro. She specialises in sustainable transport, economic evaluation and gender equity, with over 100 publications. She advises national bodies and serves on key evaluation boards, including AIV and NESE, and on mobility committees at multiple institutional levels.