Dear friends of EvalParticipativa,
Seven years ago, we began a shared journey, convinced that evaluation can be a space for connection, listening, and transformation. Today, more than four thousand people are part of this community, which grows with every story, every experience shared, and every perspective dedicated to fostering social change through participation.
Behind each name there is a path, a voice, a story of commitment. In every country and every organisation, there are people who, like you, believe in the power of building knowledge collectively. That is why we want to take a new step: to bring a human face to our community.
The EvalParticipativa Podcast is a platform for exchange and collaboration within the Community of Practice and Learning on Participatory Evaluation in Latin America. Each episode seeks to explore and share the knowledge and experiences of key figures in participatory evaluation across the region, where the professional intersects with the personal, and evaluative practice is closely linked to the lived experiences and stories of the interviewees.
Over the past two decades, the movement aimed at achieving evidence-based policies has gained importance and prominence. It holds that policymakers should base their decisions on the best available evidence regarding “what works,” rather than on ideologies or in response to particular interests.
When I wrote 
DEVICES FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, ITINERANT COLLECTIVE MAPPING, CRITICAL CARTOGRAPHIES AND PEDAGOGICAL RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY USE
The EvalParticipativa podcast continues to serve as a platform for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and experiences among specialists and key figures in participatory evaluation, both from Latin America and other international contexts. Its purpose is to offer an integrative perspective, in which evaluative practice is interwoven with professional trajectories, personal experiences, and the territorial specificities of the interviewees.
Recognising the political nature of evaluation opens a transformative door: the possibility of turning it into a tool for democratisation. When we recognise that evaluation has a political role, we acknowledge its capacity to challenge narratives and make realities visible. It is about expanding our understanding of what constitutes valid evidence and who has the right to produce it.
Storytelling is a practice found in all cultures since the dawn of humanity. Through this medium, societies not only communicate, educate and entertain, but also preserve values, knowledge, and collective memory. While it may seem simple, storytelling is a complex art that has evolved over time, adapting to changing contexts and contemporary challenges.
