Impact Assessments Completed
The IDEAS team coordinated the following evaluations, using all five AIMS-SEEP tools. There was an attempt to ensure that there was a model evaluation done in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, involving volunteers from the national networks and from other countries.
Country where EVALUATIONS held Institution Assessed and Type of participants Co-sponsors Month & year of training
Peru FINCA Peru, with assistance from members of COPEME, the Peruvian association of MFIs COPEME, USAID 11/98
Philippines ASHI, with assistance from CASHPOR and PHILNET network ASHI, CASHPOR, PHILNET, USAID 3-4/00
Ghana Sinapi Aba Trust, with assistance from Opportunity International and Ghamfin Sinapi Aba Trust, OI, Ghamfin, Ford Fdn. 1-2/02

IDEAS also has assisted MFIs to do evaluations using only part of the AIMS-SEEP tools. Often, we use these in combination with some MicroSave tools. All evaluations involved training of key staff in the use of the tools.
Country where EVALUATIONS held Institution Assessed and Type of participants Co-sponsors Month & year of training
Nicaragua Fundacion 4i-2000 in Nicaragua Fundación 4i-2000 & World Vision 12/00
El Salvador ENLACE in El Salvador ENLACE & Catholic Relief Services 7/02
Columbia AGAPE AGAPE & Opportunity International 10/02
Guatemala MFI affiliated with Save the Children using MicroSave tools Save the Children & SEEP 10/02
Jamaica City of Kingston Credit Union COK Credit Union and SEEP Network 12/02
Nicaragua Fundación 4i-2000 Fundación 4i-2000 & World Vision 1/03
Global Institutional evaluation of the Microenterprise Development Program of World Vision International. Mid-term in a five year contract. World Vision US using USAID funds 1-4/04
Ghana APED impact evaluation using all five AIMS-SEEP tools World Vision US; Sinapi Aba Trust 1-2/04
Guatemala AGUDESA; outside evaluators and members of IDEAS team; quantitative impact survey World Vision US 2-3/04
Guatemala AGUDESA; outside evaluators and members of IDEAS team; qualitative tools World Vision US 2-3/04
Perú MIDE using qualitative tools for market research COPEME 3/04
Philippines Community Economic Ventures staff using qualitative tools for impact & market research CARD; World Vision US 3/04
Philippines Community Economic Ventures institutional evaluation World Vision US 3/04
Honduras COMISAL credit union using qualitative tools SNV; IDEAS 4/04

The 2000 report of the Philippines evaluation has been published in English by the CASHPOR Technical Services. The book is called Poverty Reduced through Microfinance: The Impact of ASHI in the Philippines. The Forward by Mila Mercado-Bunker, President of ASHI, thanks IDEAS members and others “for helping us pioneer the implementation of the AIMS tools, the first time that they have been used in Asia.” This 124 page book is available through CASHPOR Technical Services in Malaysia for US$15.00. Please contact them at gibbons@pc.jaring.my.

Since the time of these evaluations in each continent, there have been additional evaluations done by other persons, who have attended the courses held by IDEAS. We have encouraged microfinance practitioners to evaluate using fewer than all five tools.

We also encourage institutions to use some AIMS-SEEP tools mixed with MicroSave-Africa tools for evaluations and market research.
 
   
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