Baseline, dipstick and endline evaluation study of TRIF-SRLM Pilot in Madhya Pradesh

The Transforming Rural India Foundation (TRIF) initiative envisages to transform the lives of the rural communities by collating the forces of multiple stakeholders at different levels for multi- dimensional change. The framework of engagement revolves around the strategy of strengthening the capacities of the poor communities to aspire and to build conditions of ‘behaviour change’ to ensure their irreversible climb. The framework for the initiative stressed
on engagement with the government to support civic action and user accountability while at the same time building partnerships with the private sector to create new opportunities and address constraints. The initiative will be implemented in eight blocks of Madhya Pradesh namely, Thandla, Petlawad, Sondwa, Manawar, Bijadandi, Aarpur, Samnapur, and Khategaon to showcase the efficacy of the multi-stakeholder engagement in transforming the lives of the rural communities and to substantiate its capability in making a substantial difference at scale. Before implementation baseline is being conducted in these project areas and matching areas. Sambodhi proposed a quasi-experimental Difference in Difference (DID) design for the study and the DID estimator as an estimate to evaluate the effects of interventions and other treatments of interest on the outcome variable. A draft tool capturing the critical variables related to health, nutrition, immunization, education and livelihoods was developed and piloted. An instruction manual/guide for the tool was prepared for data collection as it was quintessential for ensuring smooth functioning of field operations. The final tool was translated in Hindi after incorporation of pilot findings. Tools developed for the study were thoroughly tested in to ascertain their suitability in actual field conditions. It helped us to identify questionnaire gaps and removing ambiguities and other sources of bias and error. The study tools were tested under field conditions by research professionals and senior field officials. The tool was built on a computer-based application using CSPro 6.3 and tested again in the pilot to make it robust. Training with the final team selected was conducted on survey objective, survey tools, and on expected data quality for 5-6 days. Data collection process is currently on going. Statistical packages like STATA, and SPSS. Will be used for data analysis. A detailed report covering, all the specific areas listed under the objectives of the study will be submitted to TRIF and Tata trust.