The main objective of this evaluation, led by our partner ADE, was to provide an independent, evidence-based assessment of the contribution of the EU’s external actions in support of the implementation of the SDGs – not only as a set of individual goals, but also in relation to their integration into the EU’s external policy framework. In line with EU policy, this evaluation sought to be a stock-taking, lesson-learning, and forward-looking exercise, as well as an accurate assessment of achieved results.