IDB announces impact-assessment methodologies competition

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it is seeking proposals to carry out impact-assessment methodologies in institutional-strengthening programmes for government agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The deadline for receiving the proposals on "Measuring Institutional Impact on the Region of the Americas (MIRA)" is May 13, and each selected proposal will receive up to US$50,000 in funding.

The IDB said the competition is designed to demonstrate that institutional-strengthening initiatives achieve their principal objectives and, therefore, contribute to economic development as well as reduce the knowledge gap on the impact of institutional strengthening.

In addition, the bank said the project will improve the design of future public policies and document the need to incorporate evaluation components in the design of such interventions.

"The formulation of an effective methodology for assessing impact on programmes to strengthen institutional capacity is critical for ensuring that these activities achieve their principal objectives, which are to help improve public policies, increase competitiveness, and promote economic development and social equity."

It said the MIRA competition is open to public institutions either individually or in partnership with nonprofit or for-profit organisations, academic institutions, research centres, or bilateral development agencies.

The winners will receive up to an additional US$25,000 to replicate their methodologies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

- CMC