Addressing evaluation in complexity is not linear — it’s a journey.
The TWG 8 Nonconference is that journey in motion

Hosted by the EES Thematic Working Group 8 (TWG8) with SETIG (AEA),  evaluaand supported by the IFSR, it brings together evaluators, commissioners, policymakers, and systems thinkers from across the world to explore how we can move from reflection to action on the road to Lille 2026.

The journey started in January 2025, inspired by the fruitful discussions at the EES Conference in Rimini 2024, and continues on the road to the EES Lille 2026 Biennial Conference. Along the way, TWG8 members have gathered ideas and insights through informal exchanges and three structured workshops:

• Mental Models
• Complexity
• Commissioners’ Experiences and Challenges

The Nonconference exended this space with a first day on 29 October 2025 – thanks to all those who joined us.

🌟 “Now focusing on Day 2”

Date: 19 November 2025 | Time: 15:00–18:00 CET | Format: Online

Day 2 builds on the insights and energy of Day 1 — moving from shared reflection to collective action.
Participants will co-create innovation strands — collaborative spaces that seed articles, prototypes, pilots, and joint initiatives to continue toward the EES Lille 2026 Biennial Conference.

🌱 Why Join Day 2?

• Move from reflection to collective innovation. 
• Be part of a practitioners’ network turning ideas into joint outputs — articles, pilots, prototypes, and stories. 
• Connect with colleagues shaping proposals for Lille 2026, where the EES will launch a new call for “conference strands” on 6 December. 
• Strengthen cross-Atlantic and global collaboration through the partnership between EES TWG8, SETIG, and IFSR.

All participants registered for Day 1 are automatically registered for Day 2. You will receive the meeting link from the Zoom platform with reminders before the session.

For new registrations: how to register –

Option 1: Already a Member of EES, SETIG and IFSR?
👉 Button: 🔗 Register Now – Free for Members 

Option 2: Want to Become an EES Member?
👉 [🌟 Join EES Today – Get 15 Months for 12] (Join EES Today! – EES)
(Includes free Nonconference registration)
➡️ After your membership is confirmed, please return here and click  Register Now – Free for Members above.

Option 3: Just Want to Join the Event?
👉 [💳 Get Your Nonconference Pass – 25 EUR] https://ees.justgo.com/Account.mvc/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f
➡️ Once your payment is completed, please return here and click   Register Now – Free for Members  above to finalize your participation.

What is a Nonconference?

A Nonconference breaks away from traditional formats.
No keynotes. No rigid panels. No fixed answers.

It’s a space for shared inquiry, Living the Question dialogue, and cross-perspective insights, where participants slow down, reflect, and co-create knowledge on the road to Lille 2026.

Event Details

• Dates & Time: 19 November 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
• Format: Online (Zoom)
• Audience: Evaluators, commissioners, policymakers, systems thinkers
• Methodology: Living the Question → World Café → Reflective Practice

How the Nonconference Flows

The Nonconference unfolds in two days and three layers of dialogue:

• Day 1 – Reflecting, Embracing, Living: slowing down, connecting, and surfacing shared insights about complexity and systems practice in evaluation
• Day 2 – Innovating on the Road to Lille: building on Day 1’s reflections, participants move into action – developing collaborative strands and practitioner commitments that continue beyond the event.

Each theme evolves from dialogue into practice:

• identifying shared priorities and opportunities for cooperation;
• co-designing projects, prototypes, and knowledge pieces;
• connecting with the upcoming EES Lille 2026 Biennial, where these collaborations can mature into strand proposals or conference contributions.
  

A Lounge Space stays open throughout — for informal conversations and emergent connections.

Why Join the Nonconference?

A unique, interactive space to explore systems thinking and complexity in evaluation with peers from across the world.

Who Can Participate?

• EES, SETIG, and IFSR members → Free participation.
• Non-members → Two simple ways to join:
  1. Become an EES Member – 15 months for the price of 12
     • Free Nonconference participation
     • Full membership benefits over 2025 and 2026
     • Discount for the EES Biennial Conference in Lille, October 2026
  2. Join with a 25 EUR Nonconference Pass (covers both days).

How to Register

Option 1: Already a Member of EES, SETIG and IFSR?
👉 Button: 🔗 Register Now – Free for Members 

Option 2: Want to Become an EES Member?
👉 [🌟 Join EES Today – Get 15 Months for 12] (Join EES Today! – EES)
(Includes free Nonconference registration)
➡️ After your membership is confirmed, please return here and click Register Now – Free for Members above.

Option 3: Just Want to Join the Event?
👉 [💳 Get Your Nonconference Pass – 25 EUR] via EES (N.B. you will be required to register on our database)
➡️ Once your payment is completed, please return here and click Register Now – Free for Members above to finalize your participation.

Your Membership Advantage

• Free participation in TWG8 Nonconference 2025
• Full membership benefits over 2025 and 2026
• Reduced fee for the EES Biennial Conference in Lille, October 2026
• Access to EES resources, community, and networks

Nonconference agenda 

Day 1 -29/10/2025

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Welcome Welcome from EES president, TWG8 and SETIG leaders
3:15 pm – 3:55 pm	Setting the stage – Positioning & Reflection Individual reflection → small-group sharing → plenary harvest
3:55 – 4:10 pm	Break Lounge available – Informal chat, tech check-ins, quiet reflection Optional networking – virtual networking informal peer connections, open chat space
4.10: pm – 4:50 pm	Thematic conversation spaces World Café Round 1 – Predefined themes base on preconference collection of questions and ideas.
4:50 pm – 5:05 pm	Break Lounge available – Informal chat, tech check-ins, quiet reflection Optional networking – virtual networking informal peer connections, open chat space
5:05 pm – 5.45 pm	Thematic conversation spaces World Café Round 1 – Predefined themes base on preconference collection of questions and ideas.
5:45 pm – 6:00 pm	Harvest and resonance What? So what? Now what?  Discussion, mapping of insights, space for spontaneous contributionsPreview of Nonconference Day

 

Day 2 – 19/11/2025

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Welcome back and  Reflection. Quick recap, breakout reflection, plenary share spontaneous contributions
3:15 pm – 3:55 pm	Ideas incubators. Co-creation labs. 6 thematic conversations on innovation questions, Day 1 insights seeds.
3:55 – 4:10 pm	Break Lounge available – Informal chat, innovation conversations Optional networking – virtual networking informal peer connections, open chat space
4.10: pm – 5:00 pm	Labs work sharing and discussion Sharing insights, presentations and Q&A, responding to identified gaps: mini-experiment design, mapping, others.
5:00 pm – 5:15 pm	Break Lounge available – Informal chat, innovation conversations Optional networking – virtual networking informal peer connections, open chat space
5:15 pm – 5.45 pm	Commitments & Strands Strand formation breakouts, Digital wall commitments.
5:45 pm – 6:00 pm	Nonconference  closure Closing provocation to keep questions alive. Participants insights, next steps, next events in the journey.