Joint MFS II evaluation at country level: India

We propose to use as rigorous as possible impact evaluation techniques to assess the contribution of (1) the selected projects on their beneficiary populations, (2) the Dutch MSF organization on the capacity of the selected southern partners and (3) the selected southern partner organizations on the civil society organizations they have collaborated with. We will focus on estimating causal effects where possible, and complement this with research that assessed questions of attribution using qualitative techniques. We propose to use a variety of instruments, including surveys, mapping tools, stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions and behavioural assessments to measure softer variables like attitudes. The main applicant, Robert Lensink, is from the University of Groningen. He is an expert on Finance and Development, and has a strong reputation on microfinance. The last decade, Robert Lensink became heavily involved in impact evaluations, e.g. due to his work for the international organisation ?International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).? We propose a set up where the research will be done by a collaboration of senior and junior researchers from the Netherlands and from India. Yet, the main part of the research will be done in India. The India Development Foundation (IDF) will lead the field work in India, for the analysis of MDGs, but also for the capacity development and analysis of civil society. IDF has a network of NGOs in almost all states of India working on MDGs or related areas. Moreover, IDF has considerable experience both in quantitative evaluations as well as qualitative evaluations, including civil society strengthening. Researchers at IDF also have extensive experience in training and capacity development. Regarding the analyses of MDGs, per project, a Dutch senior researcher (listed in the proposal) will also be involved in the design o the methodology and the evaluation analysis. Moreover, a Dutch Junior researcher (to be hired) will help coordinating the analyses for the 10 projects, and will conduct research with the data collected in the study. The CDI, Centre for Development Innovation at Wageningen University will support the capacity building and civil society studies. This proposal is part of the WAG (Wageningen, Amsterdam-AIID, Groningen) consortium. While each member takes responsibility for the country operations of their assigned country, the senior researchers in the Netherlands will contribute to evaluation designs in their area of expertise across the proposals. The consortium covers: India, Indonesia, Liberia.