Financial and Economic Project Evaluation and Result Measurement – At the last f2f in 2011 participants attended a two days workshop on how to demonstrate effectiveness and measure results, using the DCED standard for results measurement. The idea came up to make more systematic use of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in project identification and evaluations. The Quality
Assurance Division and some e+i network members developed a method to perform CBAs and a backstopper was contracted to support the COOFs in preparing, training and accompanying evaluators who do CBAs. During this year's f2f a short training on CBA (see presentation, including a project example spread sheet) was provided to build the capacities of the COOFs to check the profitability of investments over time and therefore to make better-informed decisions as to whether to invest in a project or not. At the same time the e+i focal point has been actively involved and will stay engaged in future, in the DCED working group on results measurement (see presentation).
Work in Progress – Already in the last f2f in 2011 M4P and Gender was an important issue. Since than, many things have happened (see presentation) and a Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) guideline was developed and tested in Bangladesh and Tanzania. This guideline is perceived as essential for e+i projects but there is still need to provide case studies to simplify the guideline and to encourage its application. Eventually, the guideline (including case study) will be integrated into the new M4P Operational Guide.
Financial components of agricultural/rural programmes play an important role. Experiences have shown that there are do's and don'ts regarding the promotion of access to financial services in e+i projects (see presentation). The key message of the presentation is not to provide direct delivery of financial services (and no interest rate subsidies, no long-term subsidies and no excessive subsidies) but to facilitate a change of systems. It was strongly adviced to seek advise of experts and professionals in FSD and to involve them in the design of a project or a project component as early as possible.
