The work of the Evaluation Department is governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ instructions for the evaluation activity in Norwegian aid management’ of 29 May 2006. The department is responsible for initiating and organising independent evaluations of Norwegian development assistance. The programme is a three-year plan that is revised once a year. The programme is decided with attention to the criteria of significance, uniqueness and risk given by the Regulations on Financial Management in Central Government. The Evaluation department is responsible for the management and quality of the evaluation process and products. The evaluations are conducted by independent researchers and consultants selected in accordance with Norwegian rules for public procurement, i.e. normally through international tenders.