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Rigorous Impact Evaluation - Funding Programme

Rigorous impact evaluations (RIEs) measure the causal effect of an intervention (e.g. a microcredit programme) on an outcome of interest (e.g. household income). The RIE funding programme is intended to anchor RIE more firmly in and thus increase the effectiveness of German development cooperation. The funding programme financially supports approximately nine RIEs with up to 365,000 euros each during 2023 to 2025. Eligible for funding are RIEs that evaluate interventions in German development cooperation funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

What are Rigorous Impact Evaluations?

Rigorous impact evaluations (RIEs) measure the causal effect of an intervention (e.g. a microcredit programme) on an outcome of interest (e.g. household income). The RIE funding programme is intended to anchor RIE more firmly in and thus increase the effectiveness of German development cooperation. Therefore, the funding programme supports RIEs, which evaluate BMZ-funded measures of German development cooperation. Since March 2023, nine RIEs have been funded with each up to 367,000 euros until September 2025. An overview and further information on the funded research projects can be found on the RIE website.

 

Motivation

There are several hurdles to implementing RIEs, including the associated costs, lack of awareness of their benefits and a lack of skills to implement them. This is where the funding programme comes in by providing financial support, consulting and networking opportunities.

In addition, the RIE funding programme promoted an exchange of knowledge between the science and development cooperation practitioners by bringing together development cooperation projects and interested scientists with the help of a matchmaking event.

In this way, the funding programme contributes to anchoring RIE more firmly in German development cooperation:

Process

The funding programme timeline is divided into the following phases:

In Phase 1, development cooperation projects were identified which are suitable for RIE and especially for the funding programme.

In Phase 2, DEval conducted matchmaking between development cooperation projects and scientific institutions. The responsible scientists then work with the identified development cooperation projects to develop RIE research projects.

Subsequently, in Phase 3, the scientists could apply to DEval for funding. This application required a letter of support from the development organisation implementing the project.

In Phase 4, a selection committee evaluated the funding applications and decided how to allocate the funding.

RIE research projects are implemented in Phase 5, which lasts approximately 2.5 years, ending in the autumn of 2025.

Finally, in Phase 6, the success of the RIE funding programme will be evaluated. For this purpose, learning experiences during the implementation of the funding programme are to be processed.

Further Information

RIE Website

The RIE website offers information and materials about rigorous impact evaluation. In addition to explanations and definitions, the website also provides all the relevant information regarding the RIE funding programme. Among other aspects, the website presents the nine funded RIEs and will report on their current status.

RIE Research Project

In addition to the RIE funding programme, DEval is also currently conducting an RIE research project. Information on that project can be found here.

Team

Contact

Portrait von Angelika König
© DEval

Angelika König

Senior Evaluator – Team Leader RIE Funding Programme

Phone: +49 (0)228 336907-907

E-mail: angelika.koenig@DEval.org

[Translate to Englisch:] Portrait Martin Bruder
© DEval

Dr Martin Bruder

Head of Department: Civil Society, Human Rights

Phone: +49 (0)228 336907-970

E-mail: martin.bruder@DEval.org

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