Call for Applications: Impact Evaluation to SEI Asia and SUMERNET

CALL SUMMARY

Call Opens: 6 March 2026 

Application Deadline: 20 March 2026, close of business day (Bangkok time)  

IMPORTANT: Applications will ONLY be accepted through the online submission platform: 

SUBMISSION LINK

Key reference document:

Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Impact Evaluation [Access Link]

PURPOSE 

The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the results, outcomes, and longer-term contributions of SEI as a knowledge-to-policy actor in Southeast Asia, and to examine the role and added value of Sweden's support over the period 2005–2026. The evaluation focuses in particular on Sida-supported regional initiatives and activities relevant to research and development cooperation, including the development and maintenance of a home-grown regional research network that strengthens research capacity, science-based decision-making, and inclusive, rights-based, and locally led science–policy partnerships addressing transboundary water cooperation, climate adaptation, and environmental governance in Southeast Asia. 

The evaluation places specific emphasis on behavioural and institutional outcomes enabled through Swedish support, including changes in how SEI develops itself and operates as a regional intermediary, how boundary and strategic partners engage in policy processes, and how these partnerships influence decision-making in policy and practices. 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 

The evaluation will focus on three specific objectives: 

1. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development for Research to Policy and Practice: Examine how Sida's support to the SUMERNET programme has: 1) strengthened SEI's capacity and institutional position as a research institute based in the region, and 2) contributed to developing capacities of local and regional research institutions and researchers in Southeast Asia. 

2. Research-to-Policy-and-Practice Impact: Evaluate how and to what extent SUMERNET-supported initiatives have contributed to effective translation of scientific evidence into usable knowledge, tools, and decision-making across Mekong countries. 

3. Future Direction and Sustainability of the Network Model: Identify the niche and comparative advantages of SEI Asia and SUMERNET that can be used for fundraising and building new partnerships for sustainability and longer-term impacts of the network, including at global level, as well as from regional and national levels in the Mekong region. 

STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT 

The primary intended users of the evaluation include, but not limited to: 

• SEI (Asia Centre and Global Management Team) 

• Sida (Headquarters and Embassies in the Mekong region), and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.  

Secondary intended users include, but not limited to: 

• SUMERNET, Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and other relevant programme and network partners 

• Other development partners engaged in research-for-development and regional cooperation 

• Current and potential funders, research/academic institutions, civil society organisations, and government authorities in Southeast Asia. 

The conclusions and recommendations from the evaluation, to the extent deemed practical and useful, should: 

• Comment on Terms of Reference, methodology and work plan 

• Provide information and their views on progress and future perspectives 

• Discuss and comment on preliminary findings of the evaluation 

• Clearly articulate the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation 

The evaluators and the main stakeholders will agree on who will be responsible for keeping the various stakeholders informed about the evaluation during the inception phase. 

SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION 

Thematic Scope: The evaluation will primarily cover SUMERNET partners and initiatives, and other Sida-supported initiatives where there are clear overlaps with SUMERNET that contribute to water, climate, and transboundary environmental governance; policy-relevant research and effective models of science–policy interface; and enhanced uptake of equity, inclusion, and youth engagement and leadership. 

Geographic Scope: The evaluation covers Southeast Asia's Mekong Region, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. 

Temporal Scope: 2005–2026, reflecting the establishment of SUMERNET and the full duration of Sweden's support to the initiatives and activities under review. 

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES 

Indicative outputs include: 

• Inception report 

• Draft evaluation report 

• Final evaluation report (including executive summary and recommendations) 

• Presentation of findings to Sida and SEI 

• Optional learning or synthesis brief (that may be useful for the public) 

For more details of the call, please download the attached pdf.

All documents should be submitted online at the following link:  

https://sei.submittable.com/submit/350843/sumernet-plus-call-for-applications-impact-evaluation-to-sei-sumernet by 20 March 2026.  

For any inquiries related to this call, please contact SUMERNET Programme Manager, Mr. Vo Tran Trung Nhan (nhan.vo@sei.org).