The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and update of the LRRD debate in the last ten years and thus to inform the LRRD themed evaluations. It is based on a review of the literature, both published and grey literature. Immediately apparent are the many layers at which the LRRD debate has been taking place, from the political context of aid and aid policy, to nuts and bolts programmatic and operational challenges. A contemporary review of the debate must take all of these different layers into account “ a tall order. The question arises about where to draw the boundaries.