ETB Blogs

Nivedita Renade: On the Field—ETB: Regional is on the Move!

09/19/25 by ETB Team

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Mark your calendars for two exciting developments for ETB Regional (ETB:R)!

First, based on our learnings thus far, we have identified ETB:Regional South microsystem mapping as a key activity that aims to visualize and analyze the existing and potential interconnections and relationships between the actors (evaluators; individuals with lived experience [i.e., ‘accidental‘ evaluators]; funders, nonprofits, academic institutions, local, state, and federal government agencies) and their partners in ETB’s U.S. South microsystem (i.e., Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi). 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 the region, including relationship building, conducting regional activities, and resource dissemination.

The ultimate goal of this microsystem mapping is to address and close the gaps created by challenges such as low credibility for ‘accidental’ evaluators, pay and opportunity inequities for evaluators and ‘accidental’ evaluators, and power dynamics and silos between funders and other institutions in this region. If you consider yourself to be an actor in the U.S. South microsystem (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), stay tuned to respond to the survey in early October 2025 and make sure your information is represented in the map!

Second, ETB:R team members, Chyenne Mallinson and myself are so excited to present at the Hawai’i-Pacific Evaluation Association on September 29, 2025. We will host a roundtable session that invites participants into conversation about what it takes to strengthen regional evaluation microsystems by co-creating pathways for connection, capacity building, and transformation. The session will also invite local evaluators and partners to share insights about their local evaluation microsystems in Hawaii! 

~ Nivedita Ranade, Associate Project Director, ETB: Regional and ACE Network