Validation Assessing progress in EITI implementation Following the introduction of the EITI Criteria, stakeholders recognised a need for greater clarity around the requirements that implementing countries needed to meet and how their progress should be measured. In 2006, the International Advisory Group introduced Validation, a mechanism for assessing whether countries had undertaken the necessary sign-up steps (“EITI Candidate”) and met the EITI Principles and Criteria (“EITI Compliant”). When the EITI Rules were introduced in 2009, multi-stakeholder groups were required to contract an independent Validator to assess compliance. For the first time, this process allowed countries to reflect and act on lessons learned; address discrepancies; and ensure that EITI implementation was sustainable. Following concerns about the potential impartiality of these assessments, the EITI International Secretariat assumed the responsibility and cost of commissioning Validation. In 2016, a new Validation system was introduced whereby countries were assessed on their progress in meeting the EITI Standard. Their overall progress, as well as progress against individual EITI Requirements, were assessed as either “outstanding”, “satisfactory”, “meaningful”, “inadequate” or “no progress”. While this system provided a helpful benchmark for advancing transparency and multi-stakeholder engagement, many countries struggled to implement the more complex provisions of the EITI Standard, while ensuring that the EITI remained impactful and responded to stakeholders’ needs. In response to these challenges, the EITI Board agreed to undertake a review of the Validation process in 2020. In April 2021, a new Validation model and procedure took effect. Underpinned by an extensive consultation process, the model encourages progress by ensuring EITI implementation responds to national priorities, while also maintaining a rigorous approach to Validation that upholds the integrity of the EITI Standard. Since it was first introduced, Validation has sought to hold all countries to the same global standard while promoting dialogue and learning at a country level. It has since evolved to respond to the diverse challenges that countries face. Validations are based on consultations with national stakeholders to achieve consensus on progress, gaps and objectives of EITI implementation. Designed as a continuous learning process to strengthen the impact of the EITI at the national level, Validation results in a detailed assessment with recommendations and corrective actions for improving implementation of the EITI Standard. Picture caption placeholder PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK The 42nd EITI Board meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine in February 2019. 18 EITI Anniversary Report