Evaluation and Assessment of Poverty and Conflict Interventions: Conflict & Economics, Lessons Learned on Measuring Impact

This case study is part of a USAID-funded research grant that examines the relationship between economic development and stability. In many parts of the world, Mercy Corps implements programs that combine economic development and peacebuilding. The Evaluation and Assessment of Poverty and Conflict Interventions project had three main objectives: 1) to develop indicators and data collection tools that measure the impact of programs at the intersection of peacebuilding and economic development; 2) to field test these indicators and tools in three countries; and 3) to begin to assess several theories of change that inform Mercy Corps’ programs. This report presents lesons learned about developing and using indicators and data collection tools to measure the impact of interventions designed to reduce both poverty and conflict. In addition, the document presents preliminary conclusions about the role of economic development programming in promoting peace.