WLSME Evaluation Factsheet

Well-intentioned development programs are often implemented in the absence of rigorous impact evaluations and the presence of a counter-factual. Such evidence is particularly lacking in the programmatic field of female-led small and medium enterprises. Most evaluations in this context are qualitative in design and/or focused on processes. In the absence of more structured and controlled impact assessments, it is still unclear as to which interventions are more likely to create and grow female-led SMEs, and why.

Under the FIELD-Support LWA, FHI 360 is leading efforts to evaluate the impact of the three USAID-funded interventions that have been designed to enhance women’s leadership and help them grow their small and medium enterprises. The impact evaluation will be carried out across the three selected sites and corresponding implementing organizations: India (CARE), Peru (GRADE/Sector 3 Social Venture Group), and Kyrgyzstan (ACDI/VOCA).