ETB: Regional

Strengthening Evaluation Microsystems Across the U.S.

Connecting and strengthening Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse evaluators and their partners within their local evaluation microsystems.

ETB: Regional Overview

ETB: Regional (ETB:R) is a new effort under the ETB initiative that centers and prioritizes the unique, histories, strengths, and needs of Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse evaluators in various parts of the United States. Rooted in the principles of CREE, ETB: Regional serves as a catalyst to strengthen local evaluation microsystems¹ through co-created, regionally tailored strategies for connection, capacity-building, professional development, and resource sharing. This place-based approach recognizes that context matters, and that CREE practice must be grounded in authentic relationships and responsive to regional realities. By working deeply within regional microsystems, ETB: Regional generates learnings and practices that inform and strengthen the broader evaluation ecosystem nationwide.

This initiative launched in early 2025 as a pilot in the Southern U.S. (Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana), a region historically underrepresented in evaluation funding, leadership, and infrastructure. Learning and knowledge generated from this pilot will set the stage for replication in other regions nationally, allowing for the adaptation of successful strategies and the broader implementation of promising practices — still deeply rooted in local wisdom, CREE, and guided by the lived experiences of those historically excluded from shaping and thriving in the microsystem and/or ecosystem.

Mission

To connect and strengthen Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse evaluators and their partners within their local evaluation microsystems by advancing culturally responsive and equitable evaluation practices, expanding access to resources and opportunities, building capacity, and cultivating inclusive networks that shift power and drive systemic and community transformation.

Vision

ETB: Regional envisions a robust national evaluation ecosystem with thriving local evaluation microsystems where Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse evaluators and their partners are fully resourced, deeply connected, and leading work that, transforms inequitable structures and advances equity in their communities.

¹Drawing from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (2000), we think of Microsystem as a smaller but critical system or environment where the interactions within the environment are influenced by the geographic, cultural, and community factors unique to that place and it has a significant impact on the functioning or well-being of the larger ecosystem it is a part of.

Proposed Activities for 2025 Pilot

• Microsystem Mapping
  • Visualize and analyze the existing interconnections and relationships between Indigenous and racially/ethnically diverse evaluators and their partners across four states in the Southern U.S. to identify key actors, existing connections, gaps, and opportunities for strengthening collaboration within the region. Take the survey now: https://expandingthebench.org/regional-mapping-survey/
• Connection Opportunities
  • Host opportunities including virtual and in-person events, networking and professional development opportunities, and platforms designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Network Expansion and Social Network Map
  • Develop and host a live social network map on the ETB website which will serve as a visual representation of relationships and connections among diverse evaluators and their partners within the ETB: Regional South microsystem.
• ETB: Regional Strategy and Playbook
  • Draw upon learnings to develop a comprehensive ETB: Regional playbook that will outline actionable steps for implementing in-person and virtual approaches to foster awareness and engagement amongst evaluators and partners through a regional strategy.

Take the ETB: Regional Microsystem Mapping Survey

ETB: Regional is conducting a survey to inform the development of an ETB: Regional South microsystem map that aims to visualize and analyze the existing and potential interconnections and relationships between the actors in this microsystem. This map will help identify key actors, existing connections, gaps, and opportunities for strengthening collaboration within the region. This work will also inform ETB:R’s efforts in this region, including relationship building, conducting regional activities, and resource dissemination. Respondents will be represented as profiles on the map, should they choose to display their information publicly. If you identify as an actor (evaluators; individuals who conduct evaluation [e.g. deep listening by conducting informal qualitative data collection and analysis, baseline data entry, synthesis of themes] in their professional role [i.e., ‘accidental‘ evaluators]; funders; nonprofits; academic institutions; local, state and federal government agencies), ETB:R invites you to take our survey!

Connect with the ETB: Regional Team

If you are interested in learning more about ETB: Regional or live in our pilot region (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi) and would like to get involved, contact our team! Add “ETB: Regional” to your message below: