Performance Evaluation of the Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth (ICRG) Program in India

Performance Evaluation of the Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth (ICRG) Program in India

The ICRG (Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth) program commissioned by the UK’s Department for International Development aimed at providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) India. Bihar, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh states were recognized as extremely vulnerable in terms of bio-physical and socio-economic indicators. The ICRG program aimed to strengthen the quality and productivity of infrastructure built under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Gov. of India to support livelihoods through groundwater recharge, micro-irrigation, soil and water conservation, and plantation. 

Sambodhi conducted a performance evaluation study for the ICRG program using two key Theory-based approaches– a) Theory of Change-based evaluation approach and b) the Realist evaluation approach.

Sambodhi conducted a beneficiary survey (sample of 3840) along with focused group discussions (FGDs), Key informant interviews (KIIs), and observations using a quasi-experimental design. The analytical approaches also included a range of impact estimation methodologies, value for money analysis, estimating the social return on investment, durability assessment for policy discourse on the sustainability of MGNREGA structures, and process evaluation of the technical support provided to stakeholders. The overall performance evaluation and reporting functioned around the community and bio-physical resilience. A technical audit of climate-resilient infrastructure was also conducted.