Category: Livelihood / Micro Finance

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS): Program Evaluation

August 19, 2024

Final evaluation to assess a program in Lebanon to mitigate Syrian crisis impacts that  creates temporary jobs for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrians, emphasizing inclusion of women and persons with disabilities, to work on public infrastructure projects. Implemented across several regions by ARCS, AVSI, and Armadilla/CTM. The program’s performance across multiple criteria, including effectiveness, resource use, and impact on beneficiaries and communities, was researched, to document successes, challenges, and stakeholder feedback to inform and improve future interventions targeting vulnerable populations affected by crises.
Methodology: Desk Review, 19 Key Informant Interviews, 6 Focus Group Discussions, 281 surveys with beneficiaries and 281 CAPI survey with community members
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WFP, World Bank, and MOSA: Verification of Databases for National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP)

September 8, 2023

The key objective of the study is to provide the WFP/World Bank/ Ministry of Social Affairs / NPTP Central Management Unit (CMU) at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with verification of the eligibility of households which are currently included in the NPTP database. Eligibility is assessed through a Proxy Means Test (PMT) which was formulated in coordination with the WFP. InfoPro was commissioned to verify the data.

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ILO: Beneficiary Surveys

September 8, 2023

Evaluate the program in comparison to goals. The Employment Intensive Infrastructure Project (EIIP) is a program launched by the ILO. It is focused on sustainable asset creation for local communities through investment in infrastructure projects. Now in its fourth phase, the program identified and executed 23 key local infrastructure projects. Surveys were conducted with local beneficiaries and the various stakeholders to evaluate the program in comparison to target goals highlighting any unintended and/or negative repercussions through a study.
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UNDP: Non-Health Covid Response to Covid 19 Impact Analysis

September 8, 2023

End of project evaluation. Evaluated two projects: ‘Reducing the direct economic downturn impact on vulnerable Communities in Lebanon’ and ‘Labour Intensive Forest Activities with Vulnerable Communities in Lebanon’ in conformity with OECD /DAC evaluation criteria: Relevance/Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance, and Sustainability.

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USAID and Palladium: Microfinance Demand Survey

January 1, 2021

Palladium and USAID kick started the support the Livelihoods and Inclusive Finance Expansion (LIFE) project in Lebanon. The aim of the project is to economically empower the unbanked, low-income, and underserved micro clientele ad simultaneously link vulnerable entrepreneurs with micro-finance institutions who will provide them with customized business management training, technical know-how, mentoring, and basic business development skills. The aim of the project is to also to strengthen the capacity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Lebanese Microfinance Association (LMA) so that they can increase their range of products and services and expand their reach of borrowers to include microenterprises with an emphasis on higher-risk, conflict affected areas, including new, unbanked, and existing microenterprises, and low-income women-headed households. In order to gain a better understanding of entrepreneurship in Lebanon and to assist the Central Bank, in understanding the microenterprise landscape, InfoPro was commissioned to conduct a National Market Demand Survey among the general population and micro-enterprises. The aim of the survey was to profile micro-entrepreneurs and potential micro-entrepreneurs, identify the financial services they currently utilize, their demand for additional financial services, and how they are distributed across the various Lebanese governorates / Mohafazat. The findings of the survey helped InfoPro forecast the potential market value for micro-finance institutions among both the general population and micro-enterprises. It also helped reveal the areas that should be concentrated on. InfoPro interviewed 2,000 households and 1,200 micro-enterprises nationwide.Read more

World Vision: Child Protection, Advocacy, and Livelihoods Baseline Survey

January 1, 2020

Baseline evaluation to provide clear evidence of children’s well-being pre and post World Vision’s Child Protection and livelihood interventions. Methodology: Desk Research and 2,920 Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) with caregivers.

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TOTAL and DAR: Oil Drilling Social Impact Baseline

January 1, 2019

A study for Total and Dar Group. The Council of Ministers awarded the oil drilling exploration and production licenses to the consortium composed of Total, ENI and JSC Novatek. Total E&P Liban – which was planning to start its drilling activities – and as per its internal requirements and to meet regulations needed to launch a Social Baseline Study (SBS). The main objective was to gain a thorough understanding of the socio-economic context and human environment of the future site(s) before the drilling operations begin. Methodology: Desk research, focus groups with fishermen and farmers, and 60 Key Informant Interviews with various stakeholders.
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ACTED: Building Resilient Communities: An Integrated Approach to Livelihoods and Income Generation for Vulnerable Populations

January 1, 2019

A study for ACTED to evaluate their multi-sector program. The main objective of the program was to Address Root Causes (ARC) of conflict and instability in Lebanon by creating for vulnerable individuals’ sustainable income-generating and livelihood opportunities. The program was implemented in Akkar, Tripoli, Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and Saida. 1,500 individuals, 19 SDCs, 3 TVET Institutes, 1 Vocational Training Center, 22 Artisans and 75 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were targeted across Lebanon. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which the project has met its objectives and to provide an external opinion on the relevance and performance of the project, as compared to the original plan. Methodology: 18 key informant interviews, 15 in-depth interviews and CATI surveys with 350 beneficiaries.

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ACTED: Food Security Value Chain Study

January 1, 2019

A Food Security Value Chain Assessment. The objective was to identify food value chains critical to food security, key bottlenecks and impediments to agricultural production along selected value chains, and propose solutions and recommendations to alleviate efficiency bottlenecks. A desk research exercise was conducted to identifying gaps in available information. A list of the basic food commodities for vulnerable population groups especially those affected by the Beirut port blast was identified. A prioritization matrix was prepared and four value chains were selected. A full value chain analysis across the four products selected was then conducted. Methodology: Desk research, Methodology: Desk research, 20 key-informant interviews (KIIs) with sector experts and representatives, and a quantitative survey with 208 farmers, cooperative members, business owners, and other market actors along each step of the value chain.

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World Bank and MOSA: Verification of Databases for National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP)

January 1, 2018

The key objective of the study is to provide the World Bank/ Ministry of Social Affairs / NPTP Central Management Unit (CMU) at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with verification of the eligibility of households which are currently included in the NPTP database. Eligibility is assessed through a Proxy Means Test (PMT) which was formulated in coordination with the World Bank. InfoPro was commissioned to verify the data. Methodology: 30,000 CAPI Surveys conducted nationwide.Read more

USAID and Palladium: Final Performance Evaluation of the LIFE Project

January 1, 2017

A final evaluation was conducted of the Livelihood and Inclusive Financial Expansion (LIFE) project, administered by Palladium and financed by USAID. Methodology: Desk Research, focus groups, and an analytical report on the financial needs of microenterprises and alternative ways of local micro-financing.

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USAID and Social Impact: Midterm Performance Evaluation for LIFE

October 1, 2011

A study for Social Impact, USAID’s monitoring arm. Conduct a mid-term performance evaluation of the LIFE project. An OECD DAC approach was utilized. Three criteria were assessed; Relevance, Effectiveness, and Sustainability, in addition to cross-cutting issues such as gender. Methodology: 28 focus groups were conducted with beneficiaries of the LIFE project.
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OXFAM: Barriers to Women’s Participation in the National and Local Economy and their Utilization of Available Entrepreneurial Opportunities

January 1, 2009

A study for Oxfam to identify the obstacles that females face in becoming active members in the economy and the steps to be undertaken to open the doors to their becoming social entrepreneurs. The study focused on North Lebanon and Bekaa with a specific focus on the seven BADAEL areas under study. Methodology: 30 focus groups and 1,800 household interviews with Syrian refugees, Palestinian refugees, and vulnerable Lebanese, in addition to 33 key informant interviews with key stakeholders.
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SANAD: Outcomes of Micro-Credit Provision to Syrian Refugees

January 1, 2015

Study to determine needs for financial and non-financial services among Syrian refugees nationwide, commissioned by SANAD. Testing and verifying data compiled through a previous qualitative segment, as well as quantify estimates that were provided. Assessment of employment status, sources of income, business training, the financial services that are available to them, and their potential interest in taking a loan. The market size of creditworthy refugees was assessed. Methodology: representative sample of 640 refugees.
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CGAP (World Bank) and Microfinance Center: Indebtedness Level of Microfinance Clients

January 1, 2014

Study commissioned by The Microfinance Center and CGAP to measure the indebtedness level of microfinance clients and factors leading to them. Recommendations on prevention. Methodology: qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative segments.
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Relief International: ICT Business Sector in Rural Areas

January 1, 2011

Study for Relief International to assess the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) business sector in rural areas. Explore demand and supply for ICT techniques and services and the role of microcredit in supporting and boosting the sector. The study offered guidelines to develop microloan products targeting ICT businesses, small businesses and ICT graduates in rural areas. Methodology: Desk research identified vocational training centers which have ICT specialization and identified small businesses and small ICT businesses in the areas under study. Field survey with 352 graduates and senior students selected from 114 IT academies, vocational training centers, Cisco networking academies, and Microsoft certification centers to identify the types of certifications that they have and whether they intend to open businesses, financing sources and budgets that they would require, and the types of collateral that they have and that would help them finance their ICT needs. In-depth interviews with the owners of small businesses to identify recruitment needs for ICT personnel and lacking skills.
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Concept Testing of Short-Term Loans

January 1, 2008

The financial institution client wanted to test the utilization of very short-term loans among low-income potential users. The main objective of the study was to determine the concept’s penetration as well as to test some of its potential features. The study surveyed individuals who fall into the client’s target market. Methodology: The study consisted of face-to-face interviews with non-bankerized respondents.

World Bank: Business Survey of War Losses, Damages, and Needs for Recovery

January 1, 2007

A study for the World Bank. The aim of the study was to identify the indirect and direct damages incurred by individuals and the private sector post the July 2006 war and to prioritize their current needs so as to be able to formulate a recovery and rehabilitation plan. The study assessed the impact on businesses and included in-depth interviews with the owners of the biggest businesses that were directly targeted during the war, in-depth interviews with a sample of small enterprises located in war-affected area, and in-depth interviews with a panel of companies selected from the Productivity and Investment Climate Assessment survey. Assessed the economic impact of the war on businesses belonging to a variety of sectors and their current and future needs. It included in-depth interviews with key business leaders in a variety of organizations and sectors, in addition to a compilation of common needs across various sectors. Assessment of the needs of households and the displaced. Methodology: interviews with 400 SME’s, 2,000 individuals, and 50 in-depth interviews with large businesses.
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