No. 2 (2025): The Challenges And Opportunities Of Evaluation: From Theory To Practice

Edited by Laura Evangelista, Concetta Fonzo

Evaluation is currently the focus of renewed attention in crucial areas such as education, welfare, social planning and public policy. In a complex and constantly changing context, it is a living and dynamic practice, capable not only of measuring but also of guiding change, generating learning and supporting innovation. This thematic issue of Quaderni di Comunità offers a reflection on evaluation as a strategic lever for improving educational and social systems. Far from a purely technical or control-oriented vision, evaluation is interpreted here as a participatory process, capable of restoring meaning to policies, giving voice to actors and strengthening the effectiveness of interventions. Through a multidisciplinary approach, trends and practices are explored that show how evaluation can contribute to the construction of more equitable, inclusive and impact-oriented systems. From public planning to adult education, from digital technologies to data culture, a vision of evaluation emerges as a shared language, a tool for participation and an enabler of change. In a time marked by profound transitions - ecological, digital, social and educational - investing in a culture of rigorous and meaningful evaluation is an urgent challenge. Not a formal obligation, but a concrete opportunity for collective transformation.