Case Study: Impact Evaluation

Case Study: Transforming Lives Through Impact Evaluation in Kigoma

In 2020, M&E Lab Consulting conducted a comprehensive impact evaluation of a behavior change project in Kigoma, Tanzania, implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and funded by the World Food Programme (WFP). The initiative aimed to improve nutrition practices among vulnerable refugee and host communities, addressing malnutrition and fostering sustainable change through education and behavior shifts around food consumption and health.

Project Overview

The three-year project, launched in 2017, focused on promoting nutrition education and behavior change in households. Through workshops, campaigns, and community-based interventions, the program encouraged families to adopt better eating habits, understand the importance of balanced diets, and incorporate nutritious, locally available foods into their daily meals.

By 2020, the project had made significant strides in changing household behaviors, but a thorough impact evaluation was needed to measure its effectiveness and inform future decisions.

Our Methodology

At M&E Lab Consulting, we used a robust mixed-methods impact evaluation approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection tools. Our team focused on assessing both the outcomes and processes of the project, to understand not only what changed but also how and why these changes occurred.

Key evaluation methods included:

• Surveys and questionnaires with beneficiaries to measure changes in nutrition practices.
• Focus group discussions to capture the community’s perceptions of the program and the barriers they faced.
• Nutritional assessments to evaluate changes in health and dietary habits.
• Interviews with key stakeholders, including project staff, to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

Findings

Our evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in nutrition behaviors within targeted communities:

• Increased awareness of nutritional practices among 85% of the project participants.
• Reduction in malnutrition rates among children under five by 20%.
• Over 70% of households incorporated more diverse, nutrient-rich foods into their diets.
• A 40% improvement in the understanding and application of healthy cooking practices.

Additionally, the evaluation identified gaps in resources and barriers such as access to fresh produce and persistent cultural beliefs. These insights were invaluable in refining future interventions.

Impact and Scaling Up

Thanks to the success of the program in Kigoma, and with the robust evidence provided by our impact evaluation, the project received additional funding from the WFP and other international partners to be scaled up in additional regions across Tanzania. The findings from our evaluation also influenced policy recommendations for future nutrition-focused behavior change projects within the humanitarian sector.

Conclusion

This case study highlights how M&E Lab Consulting’s rigorous impact evaluation services can transform not only projects but also the lives of the communities they serve. By evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and providing evidence-based recommendations, we ensure that successful programs are recognized, improved, and expanded, thereby maximizing their long-term impact.

Our ability to demonstrate the positive change in Kigoma through our evaluation played a crucial role in expanding the program, showing how behavior change, backed by data, can lead to sustainable improvements in health and nutrition.