Monitoring and Evaluation

The MCC places great emphasis on accountability and measurable results and thus requires countries to outline clear benchmarks for success in their compacts with the MCC. These benchmarks, combined with reliable baseline data on planned outcomes, will allow for effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E). It is essential that the initial benchmarks strike the right balance between high expectations and realistic outcomes. The M&E can then be used to judge the success of the programs, hold the countries accountable for their goals, and inform policy makers of what works and what does not – increasing their ability to foster future success and avoid past mistakes. Few donor agencies, if any, have mastered M&E.  The Evaluation Gap Working Group of CGD's Global Health Policy Research Network is developing practical recommendations to solve this problem.

International Initiative for Impact Evaluation

At a February 2007 meeting hosted by CGD's Evaluation Gap initiative, representatives from several donor agencies, including the MCC, as well as representatives from India, Mexico and Uganda agreed to launch a new effort to strengthen and promote impact evaluation of development programs.  The proposed entity, the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3IE), has the mission of encouraging the production and use of evidence from rigorous impact evaluations to better inform development programs.

GAO Reports on MCC

• July 2011 - Millennium Challenge Corporation: Compacts in Cape Verde and Honduras Achieved Reduced Targets
• July 2010 - Millennium Challenge Corporation: Summary Fact Sheets for 17 Compacts
• November 2009 - Millennium Challenge Corporation: MCC Has Addressed a Number of Implementation Challenges, but Needs to Improve Financial Controls and Infrastructure Planning
• July 2007 - Millennium Challenge Corporation: Projected Impact of Vanuatu Compact Is Overstated
• June 2007 – Millennium Challenge Corporation: Progress and Challenges with Compacts in Africa (Testimony by David Gootnick before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives) 
• July 2006 – Millennium Challenge Corporation: Compact Implementation Structures are Being Established; Framework for Measuring Results Needs Improvement
• April 2005 – Millennium Challenge Corporation: Progress Made on Key Challenges in First Year of Operations
• February 2006 – Millennium Challenge Corporation: Analysis of Future Millennium Challenge Corporation Obligations

CGD Work on MCA Monitoring and Evaluation

• From Innovation to Impact: Next Steps for the Millennium Challenge Corporation by Sheila Herrling, Steve Radelet, Molly Kinder (January 16, 2009)
• Rigorous Evidence: Key to Progress Against World Poverty? (Forum) with Ruth Levine (October 29, 2008)
• Enhancing Transparency and Communications of MCC Operations: An Action Agenda by Sheila Herrling (January 23, 2006)
• Global Health Indicators Working Group report, Measuring Commitment to Health (September 7, 2006)
• Challenging Foreign Aid: A Policymaker's Guide to the Millennium Challenge Account by Steven Radelet (May 2003)
• The Millennium Challenge Account: Soft Power or Collateral Damage? by Steven Radelet and Sheila Herrling (April 1, 2003)
• The Millennium Challenge Account: How Much is Too Much, How Long is Long Enough? by Michael A. Clemens and Steven Radelet (February 23, 2003)