The work undertaken by The Asia Foundation (TAF) and its partners, including CUTS International, strive to improve the situation in South Asia through initiatives to increase economic opportunities, strengthen partnerships among stakeholders, and improve responsiveness of public authorities. In order to better understand the impact of TAF’s work in these areas and support the goals of their programmes, activities to analyse interventions in trade-related areas are necessary
Implementing Organization
CUTS International
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park,
Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.2282821,
Fx: +91.141.2282485
Email: cuts@cuts.org
Web: http://www.cuts-international.org/
Supported By
The Asia Foundation
114 Jor Bagh (First Floor)
New Delhi – 110003 INDIA
- A publication in the form of a short pamphlet
- Short audio/video clips of select participants
The methodology being used is influenced by the well-established participatory monitoring and evaluation technique known as ‘Most Significant Change’ (MSC). It is an open method that provides qualitative data that can be used to assess the impact of a programme or project.
Projects will be selected in which TAF and its partners have worked in South Asia on trade and trade-related and economic development issues. The programme areas include consumer welfare, non-tariff barriers, and trade facilitation. The identified projects will also provide the locations and a defined reporting period for analysing impact.
CUTS will then identify the relevant participants whom will provide their stories. Since TAF’s approach to economic development works from the local to the national and regional level, participants can include local private businesses, including MSMEs, civil society actors, trade associations, individuals as well as government officials.
Next, CUTS will collect ‘Significant Change’ stories from the identified participants via interviews using open questionnaires
- Based on the MSC stories collected, the project expects to illustrate the human face of TAF’s work. Through the stories of participants and beneficiaries, the impact and change created by TAF interventions will come to light, including limitations of the project and potential improvements.
- CUTS’ analysis will add another evaluative layer to TAF’s impact by providing trade, economic, and development relevant data and analysis of the current situation in South Asia. This may also provide insight into future programming.
- Using the methodology based on “Most Significant Change”, collecting and disseminating stories will give a voice to those involved in TAF’s work and potentially empower them in their interactions on trade and trade-related issues in South Asia.
CUTS Centre For International Trade, Economics & Environment (CUTS CITEE)
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park
Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: +91.141.2282821
Fx: +91.141.2282485
Web: www.cuts-citee.org