Measuring what matters

IFAD conducts impact assessments to understand whether changes in the lives of IFAD project participants can be attributed to the project itself. These impact assessments take into account various factors that may affect results, including economic factors, natural disasters or conflicts.

Designed in close collaboration with local stakeholders and governments, the findings of impact assessments are used to inform decisions.

As part of the Development Effectiveness Framework, IFAD conducts impact assessments on at least 15 per cent of its project portfolio, which provide a representative sample of IFAD's overall portfolio. IFAD is the only International Financial Institution that reports its results at corporate level through rigorous impact assessment.

IFAD's impact assessment cycle

Stage 1: Planning
IFAD’s Research and Impact Assessment division trains country teams and project staff on impact assessments. The project's theory of change is developed, key indicators are listed and policy-relevant research questions are formulated. Next, an impact assessment plan is prepared which describes the strategy and necessary steps.

Stage 2: Implementation
Both qualitative and quantitative instruments are developed with partners. Next, local and trusted researchers use tablets to conduct interviews and collect standardized survey data.

Stage 3: Assessment
Data is cleaned, processed and analysed following a standardized protocol. This ensures that the empirical analyses are transparent, consistent and comparable across projects and countries. It also allows us to aggregate impact estimates and project these to IFAD's project portfolio.

Stage 4: Dissemination
To bridge the gap between research and policy, a feedback seminar is held to discuss results with policy makers, project partners and other stakeholders once the impact assessment is completed.