Abstract

In recent decades, a particularly keen interest has been demonstrated in program evaluation methods and sustainability transition studies. This is true especially given that a sustainable transition generates several new challenges for program evaluation. Therefore, adapting the methodological and practical program evaluation tools to this specific context is imperative. How can experts evaluate programs in such dynamic systems leading to perpetual structural changes? The available literature on the topic offers promising technical and methodological avenues but needs help finding relevant fields of application. The present article attempts to highlight some of these new challenges generated by the context of sustainability transition for the program evaluation discipline and to bridge the gap between the features of the sustainability transition context and how to integrate them into the program evaluation process. In this vein, a conceptual model is proposed through a systematic literature review to help experts design the evaluation of sustainability transition programs. An illustration of the proposed conceptual model is included to clarify its potential applications. Hence, this article aims to support evaluators by providing useful conceptual tools for evaluating programs developed in an unpredictable context.