Impact Assessment in the CGIAR

Abstract

Interim commentary and working conclusions of a Task Force on Impact Assessment established by the Public Awareness and Resource Mobilization Committee (PARC). This document was prepared following two meetings of the Task Force, as an input to a workshop it organized on the eve of MTM95.The report provides a summary overview of the need for Systemwide impact assessment, and then comments on five topics: what the IARCs were currently doing; what impacts should be assessed and at what levels; how impact assessment was linked to public awareness and resource mobilization; what systematic process should be developed; and what type of mechanism would best served the needs of the CGIAR for impact assessment. On the last question, the conclusion was that a hierarchy of mechanisms would be needed, and the main burden of impact assessment should remain with the IARCs.