In July 2016, FAO’s Investment Centre (TCI) hosted a working session to discuss technical aspects and strategic choices regarding impact evaluation of public investments in food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.  The session was originated in the context of strengthening TCI internal capacities, aimed to provide space for open discussion, share knowledge in the areas of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and results oriented budgeting. It was attended by about 56 participants from various departments of IFAD (PMD and SKD) and FAO divisions (ESA, ESP, CIO, OED, SP3, SP1, CGIAR, CFS secretariat, OSP).

Key objectives of the session were:

(a)   to build greater understanding among FAO and IFAD staff about impact assessment and trends in use, and practical approaches,

(b)  to look at the role of TCI and how it can better support partners and the government’s and projects’ teams it works with, and

(c)   to explore links and alliances with other parts of FAO and partners, to contribute to strengthening roles and better share expertise.

The session was opened by Mr Perin Saint’Ange, IFAD Associate Vice President and head of the Programme Management Department, and Mr Gustavo Merino, Director of TCI, complemented by an overview of the session from Jim Hancock including objectives and expectations.  In the first part of the session, Paul Winters and Lisandro Martin provided an update of IFAD’s priorities on investments performance monitoring for results and on the IFAD’s corporate strategy for impact evaluation.   In the second part, the presentations from Ben Davis (SP3), Silvio Daidone (ESP), Jim Hancock, Fabrice Edouard and Dino Francescutti (TCI) focused on evidence and challenges related to cases of policies and investment impact assessment in which FAO at large or TCI specifically had been or are currently involved.  An open exchange closed the working session, opportunities for collaboration between agencies and on and entry points by Investment Centre and FAO at large in assessment of public investments results were discussed. 

Next steps and take away messages to keep the momentum, especially with regards to future TCI work, are: (a) reflect more on TCI role, through a workshop/training, after the summer to deepen understanding of definitions and methods of evaluation and the role quantitative of impact assessment in it; (b) discuss with other divisions in FAO (those who work on impact evaluation) as well as IFAD and other IFIs for practical opportunities to work together to strengthen investment programmes and projects; (c) focus on learning and identify some thematic areas (e.g. inclusive value chains) where TCI may add value from its perspective of supporting country partners with practical solutions on broader evaluation.

The event was broadcasted at http://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/4160/icode/

Go to event page.