EITI launches revised Validation model
The EITI Board has revised its Validation model to improve assessments, incentivise impact and strengthen accountability.
The EITI Board has introduced a revised Validation model to strengthen how implementing countries are assessed, drawing on lessons from the past four years. The changes respond to feedback from governments, civil society and companies and aim to incentivise meaningful implementation while ensuring accountability.
By maintaining rigour while accounting for country contexts, Validation provides a clear and robust assessment of how EITI implementation is driving change.
“The revised Validation model reflects a broader focus on impact, ensuring that EITI implementation serves as a learning tool to address key governance challenges,” said Helen Clark, EITI Board Chair. “By maintaining rigour while accounting for country contexts, it provides a clear and robust assessment of how EITI implementation is driving change. These revisions, developed through broad consultation, will make implementation more effective and enhance our assessment framework.”
Validation explained
Learn more about the revised Validation model and how country performance is assessed.
A more nuanced assessment
The updated scoring system allows for greater nuance when assessing a country’s performance in meeting the requirements of the EITI Standard, with reduced intervals between assessment levels from 30 to 20 points for mid-range scores. This adjustment provides a clearer picture of progress and areas for improvement. Labels for requirement and component scores have also been standardised to improve clarity and consistency.
Recognising impactful implementation
As before, countries are awarded extra points for efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of EITI implementation. However, the criteria for these additional points now align with the EITI’s strategic priorities, rewarding countries for using the EITI to tackle corruption, strengthen revenue management and inform energy transition discussions, enabled by data, inclusive dialogue and learning. Countries can earn up to three extra points, which are now added to the overall score.
Mid-term check-in
In response to country feedback, the model allows for longer intervals between Validations – up to five years for well-performing countries – reducing the administrative burden and enabling greater focus on implementation. At the same time, a mid-term monitoring mechanism has been introduced to ensure progress on corrective actions. This review applies to requirements assessed as “Poor” or below and serves as a check-in rather than a full assessment, allowing countries to document progress and take timely action before their next Validation.
Strengthening accountability
The “safeguard clause” – which requires participation from government, industry and civil society in the EITI process – remains in place to ensure continued multi-stakeholder engagement. Under the revised model, if a country scores “Limited” or below on stakeholder engagement, the EITI Board will formulate time-bound corrective actions that must be addressed within a set period to avoid suspension. This strengthens accountability by ensuring that corrective measures are implemented swiftly, rather than waiting until the next full Validation cycle.
Next steps
The first countries to undergo Validation under the revised model – Albania, Argentina, Senegal and the UK – will begin assessments in July 2025, with results expected in early 2026. The EITI Board has also approved new Validation templates aligned to the 2023 EITI Standard to help stakeholders better understand their level of performance in meeting technical requirements and achieving the broader objectives of each requirement.
