This paper provides an analysis of the Portuguese government’s practices to ensure the institutionalisation, quality and impact of policy evaluations. The paper takes a holistic approach that not only looks at individual practices, but also at how these come together to make evaluation an integral part of the policy cycle. Public policy evaluation promotes evidence-informed decision-making and ensures that policies improve outcomes by bringing an understanding of what works, why, for whom, and under what circumstances. Evaluation is also a core tool of sound public financial management, as it helps governments spend better and promotes accountability and transparency in spending. This paper proposes concrete policy recommendations for improving the Portuguese government’s policy evaluation system.
