World Concern - Nutrition Causal Analysis - Improved economic and nutritional outcome of poor rural people in Norther Kayin State - 2016

Project Description:

A Nutrition Causal Analysis (NCA) was one of the activities planned during the inception phase of CDN’s LIFT-funded rural livelihoods project. The NCA included a quantitative and qualitative methodology. The quantitative data for the NCA was collected from household interviews (400 households).

MKE reviewed and finalized the quantitative questionnaire and FGD questionnaire, and uploaded it into Kobo Toolbox, translated the qualitative and quantitative questionnaire into Burmese, and contributed in the design of a high quality study (qualitative and quantitative) in coordination with World Concern Myanmar. Further, MKE conducted the pilot testing and finalized the qualitative and quantitative questionnaire; then cleaned the quantitative and qualitative data and produced high quality data available for analysis. The final stage of the project involved the writing of a report based off of the findings from both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This report included a list of recommendations for the implementation of the project.

CDN - Baseline Study: Improving the incomes and nutrition outcomes of rural poor in Northern Kayin State - 2016

Project Description:

This project was focused on Thandaunggyi Township, the northernmost township in Kayin State. It covered three sub-townships (Leiktho, Thandaunggyi and Bawgali). The baseline study focused on baseline data collected for a set of indicators outlined in the project’s M&E plan. The baseline study report was used as a measurement to monitor the project progress against the set indicators and achievement over the course of the project implementation.

MKE led the overall design of approach and survey questions for the baseline study and trained enumerators in conducting a baseline survey. MKE cleaned and analyzed the collected data and information obtained from the baseline survey. Finally, MKE delivered a final baseline survey report with statistical testing of the Theory of Change causal pathways and a set of 36 recommendations.

Care Myanmar - Baseline Assessment for Comprehensive rural households food security programme - 2016

Project Description:

The project was aimed to assist approximately 21,000 persons living in over 3,900 households across 32 target villages in Rathedaung township to develop sustainable livelihoods; meaning that they would become food secure and have higher incomes, be more resilient to economic shocks and natural disaster, and be better able to manage intra-communal tensions that presently hold back community development.

MKE conducted quantitative household survey and qualitative focus group discussions to produce below outcomes

1. Increased sources and level of income of target households;

2. Increased capacity of target communities to manage forests, water resources and preparation for/response to disasters;

3. Improved conditions for sustained livelihoods through increased social cohesion between and within communities.

BTC - Baseline Survey and Socio Economic Study for the Project “Integrated water management & urban development for climate change in Ninh Thuan province” - 2016

Project Description:

To collect Baseline data and to conduct the Socio-Economic Survey in 11 communes/wards of 05 districts and cities around Dinh River. It provided quantitative and qualitative information on socio-economic status of households within the projected region; information on knowledge, skill, attitude and concern of residents towards climate change, environment and how to respond with natural disaster.

The survey also assessed capability of the local authorities in managing water resources, forecasting and responding to floods and storms and conducting urban planning in connection with climate change and identifies their demands in order to improve their capability for the project’s priorities.

HelpAge International - Baseline Survey: Dry Zone Social Protection - 2016

Project Description:

The purpose of this assignment was to design a baseline survey and an index related to social protection, analyse the data collected and produce a baseline report.

Project activities led to two project outcomes: poor households had expanded access to community assistance in times of stress, and vulnerable groups had greater income security. The project outcomes would contribute directly to the following Dry Zone programme outcome defined by LIFT: The basic needs of poor households in the target villages were met through effective social protection interventions. MKE participated in this assignment to assess the context and to enable us to measure change in the project indicators, as well as vulnerability and social protection more generally over the course of the project.

MKE also served a wider purpose by providing information for LIFT, other practitioners and government regarding the situation in the Dry Zone. The locations of the project were 30 villages in each of six target townships and the total number of target villages is 180.

ICRW - Formative and Baseline research for a career and life skills program in Village Saving and Loan community members of Sre Ambel district (Koh Kong) in Cambodia - 2014

Project Description:

ICRW served as an evaluation partner and strategic advisor for P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement) a financial and life skills program that had been operational among female garment workers in factories for seven years now. It was now being extended to the community setting to benefit young women of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA) from the Cambodian community.

Mekong Economics was commissioned to conduct an interviewer-administered survey to obtain baseline information on participant characteristics as well as knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding key objectives of the program in the VSLAs in Sre Ambel district, Koh Kong province.

Transaction Centre III (BIDV) - The Third Rural Finance Project – Final Socio-economic Impact Assessment Review - 2013

Project Description:

The Development Objective of the Third Rural Finance Project (RF) was to increase economic benefits for rural private enterprises and households by improving their access to finance. The expected outcomes included:

(i) improved access to financial services for rural entrepreneurs

(ii) increased capital investment made by the rural entrepreneurs as well as increased employment

(iii) increased lending, particularly term lending to the rural private sector for capital investment by all participating financial institutions (PFIs) on market-based terms. The RF III was implemented within a period of five years (2009-2013) on the wholesale mechanism with BIDV as the Apex Bank, wholesale project fund to participating financial institutions and micro financial institution (PFIs) and those PFIs would on-lend the loan to end borrowers at rural areas.

Mekong Economics had accomplished a number of activities which consisted of the implementation of a survey of more than 400 end-borrowers, in-depth interviews with more than 40 individuals representing the PFIs and other related agencies, data analysis, reporting and presentation of findings to relevant stakeholders.

FinMark Trust/UNCDF - Making Access to Financial Services Possible (MAP) Study - 2013

Project Description:

MAP was a financial inclusion diagnostic that incorporated a comprehensive analysis of the demand, supply and regulatory environment, in order to identify barriers and opportunities to increase financial inclusion and coordinate stakeholders (government, private sector and donors) in practical actions.

MKE provided local support to MAP study such as: survey questionnaire design, survey sample design, quality control of survey, and literature review of microfinance regulatory landscape, assessment of current microfinance models and providers.

UNDEF - Post Project Evaluation of Civic Education and Civil Society Empowerment in Remote Areas - 2013

Project Description:

In an effort to promote a more vibrant civil society in Myanmar, UNDEF had been providing funding to Myanmar Egress to support its Civic Education and Civil Society Empowerment in Remote Areas Project. These trainings served to strengthen civil society in remote areas by giving participants the basic tools for engaging government.

The post evaluations assessed project impact, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance. This involved a review of not only project operations but also other civil society strengthening models in Myanmar. Research was conducted through interviews with project staff, trainers, and training participants as well as other civil society organizations.

The Embassy of Denmark (Danida) - Base-line Survey for Impact Assessment of GCF Supported Innovations In Cocoa and Rice Export Value Chains - 2012

Project Description:

The Global Competitiveness Facility (GCF), one component of the Business Sector Program Phasing-Out Support, was implemented with an aim to increase the competitiveness of non-public Vietnamese businesses in export-oriented sectors through better access to relevant business services and exposure to innovative business models. MKE conducted a baseline survey of more than 400 rice and cocoa-related farmers and micro – small – medium enterprises to assess the impacts of the GCF supported innovations/ interventions on the cocoa and rice export value chains, and make relevant recommendations on the effectiveness of existing and future value chain projects.