The Policy Toolkit: Evidence, Evaluation and Impact Assessment

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON THE POLICY TOOLKIT: EVIDENCE, EVALUATION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

COURSE BACKGROUND

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, effective public policy has become more critical than ever. Decision-makers face mounting pressures to address environmental sustainability, economic development, social equity, and institutional resilience—often with limited resources and under public scrutiny. To respond effectively, they must rely not just on intuition or political expediency but on robust, timely, and context-relevant evidence.

The Policy Toolkit: Evidence, Evaluation and Impact Assessment course offered by the ECAS Institute is designed to strengthen the capacities of public sector institutions, development practitioners, and policy professionals to make sound, data-driven decisions that generate measurable outcomes. It builds on the growing global emphasis on evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) and aims to bridge the gap between policy design and real-world impact.

Governments and development agencies are increasingly held accountable for the success of their programs and are expected to demonstrate tangible results. However, many institutions lack the systems, tools, or trained personnel needed to evaluate their performance or apply findings to policy improvement. This course addresses that gap by offering a comprehensive, hands-on exploration of evaluation methodologies, impact assessment tools, and practical techniques to institutionalize learning and adaptive management.

The ECAS Institute recognizes that evidence use is not merely a technical exercise, but a strategic and political process that requires engagement with stakeholders, effective communication, and an understanding of the institutional and cultural context. This course, therefore, blends technical knowledge with leadership, systems thinking, and change management skills to build a new generation of policy champions capable of leading transformative governance efforts.

By grounding the course in environmental capacities and sustainability while ensuring its relevance across all sectors—health, education, infrastructure, climate, and more—ECAS ensures that participants leave not only with theoretical insights but with actionable skills to design, evaluate, and refine policies that truly make a difference.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

This course is designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to integrate evidence, evaluation, and impact assessment into the policy cycle. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) and its role in sustainable development and good governance.
2. Develop practical skills for designing and conducting monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks aligned with policy objectives.
3. Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess policy and program impacts effectively.
4. Critically analyze policy contexts to determine the most appropriate approaches for integrating evidence and learning.
5. Promote a culture of learning, accountability, and adaptation within public institutions and development programs.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Participants in this course will gain a rich blend of conceptual knowledge, practical tools, and applied skills that are immediately applicable in their professional contexts. Specifically, you will learn to:

• Differentiate between inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts in the policy and program cycle.
• Design and use results-based frameworks and logical models (e.g., logframes, theory of change).
• Collect and analyze data for evidence-based decisions using mixed methods.
• Evaluate policy and program interventions for efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, sustainability, and equity.
• Understand tools for cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis to inform decision-making.
• Communicate evidence effectively to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, communities, and donors.
• Navigate political and organizational challenges in promoting evidence use and institutional learning.
• Integrate gender, environmental, and social inclusion lenses into evaluation and impact assessment.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is tailored for a diverse group of professionals involved in policy design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation across sectors. It is ideal for government officials, development practitioners, program and project managers, policy analysts, researchers, and officers working in bilateral and multilateral organizations.

It is also highly relevant for individuals from civil society organizations, think tanks, academic institutions, and donor agencies who are engaged in shaping, analyzing, or assessing public policies and development programs. Participants from both technical and managerial backgrounds will benefit from the comprehensive and practical nature of the course content.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and

other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized.

PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

TRAINING MODULES

No	Module	Details
1.	Introduction to Policy Making and Evidence Use	This foundational module introduces participants to the nature of public policy and the strategic role that data and evidence play in shaping impactful decisions. It explores the complexities and interlinkages between policy actors, processes, and contexts. Key topics include: Understanding the Policy Cycle: In-depth exploration of each phase—agenda-setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation—and how evidence can be strategically embedded at each stage. Evidence-Based Policy Making: Examination of why using scientific, social, and economic data leads to better outcomes, and the risks of policy without evidence. Stakeholder Roles: Detailed mapping of government, civil society, private sector, and citizens in policy ecosystems. Political Economy Analysis: Unpacking how power dynamics, interests, and institutions influence evidence uptake. Barriers to Evidence Use: Discussion of real-world obstacles including political resistance, lack of data, or weak institutional capacities.
2.	Tools and Techniques for Policy Analysis	Provides participants with analytical tools to evaluate policy options, conduct risk assessments, and guide evidence-informed decision-making processes. Key topics include: Cost-Benefit & Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CBA & CEA): Learn to weigh financial costs against projected benefits, and to compare policy alternatives on a budget. Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA): Apply tools that integrate qualitative and quantitative criteria to assess competing policy goals. Policy Simulation and Modeling: Use of tools like system dynamics and agent-based models to anticipate policy outcomes. SWOT and PESTLE Analysis: Hands-on application of strategic tools to assess internal and external policy contexts. Scenario Planning: Explore plausible future pathways and test policies under different assumptions
3.	Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems in Policy Implementation	Equips participants with frameworks and tools to track policy execution, measure performance, and course-correct using evidence. Key topics include: Results-Based Management (RBM): Align activities with desired outcomes and indicators to ensure accountability and learning. Theory of Change & Logic Models: Learn how to map causal pathways, assumptions, and preconditions for success. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Designing measurable, relevant, and time-bound metrics to assess implementation. Data Collection & Analysis Tools: Techniques for surveys, administrative data use, mobile data gathering, and mixed methods. Reporting & Feedback Mechanisms: Develop dashboards and learning loops to continuously improve policy delivery.
4.	Impact Assessment: Principles and Practices	Focuses on evaluating the short- and long-term impacts of policies and programs through rigorous and context-sensitive methodologies. Key topics include: Difference between Monitoring and Impact Evaluation: Clarify objectives and timelines for each type of assessment. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methods: Strengths and limitations of interviews, focus groups, statistical surveys, and more. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs: Deep dive into RCTs, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, and instrumental variable techniques. Counterfactual Analysis: Learn how to design studies that establish what would have happened without the intervention. Sector Applications: Case studies in education, environment, health, and infrastructure policy impact evaluation.
5.	Evidence Synthesis and Policy Briefs	Trains participants to curate, distill, and package complex evidence into actionable insights and accessible communication products for policymakers. Key topics include: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Processes for consolidating findings across multiple studies to identify trends and consistencies. Rapid Evidence Assessments: How to provide timely, credible syntheses when time is limited. Crafting Policy Briefs: Step-by-step guidance to structure briefs, highlight key messages, and make recommendations compelling. Effective Use of Data Visualizations: Transforming data into infographics, dashboards, and charts that engage decision-makers. Communication Strategies for Policy Uptake: Tailoring messages to various audiences including ministers, media, and civil society.
6.	Participatory and Inclusive Policy Development	Explores methodologies and frameworks for engaging diverse stakeholders in shaping more equitable, representative, and durable policies. Key topics include: Stakeholder Identification and Mapping: Systematic analysis of who holds influence, interest, or is affected by the policy. Citizen Participation Mechanisms: Methods like public consultations, citizen juries, and online forums. Co-Design and Co-Creation: Collaborative policy development approaches with beneficiaries and marginalized groups. Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion: Integrating equity considerations in policy processes, tools, and outputs. Conflict Sensitivity and Consensus Building: Techniques to navigate contested policy environments and balance diverging interests.
7.	Using Digital Tools and Data for Policy Insights	This module examines how digital innovations can enhance evidence use, foster transparency, and improve real-time decision-making. Key topics include: Big Data & Real-Time Analytics: Applying new data sources (mobile, IoT, social media) for policy monitoring. Open Data and Transparency Tools: Promoting accountability through accessible government data platforms. Geospatial Analysis: Using satellite imagery and GIS for infrastructure, climate, and urban planning policies. Machine Learning and Predictive Modeling: Automating pattern recognition in large datasets to anticipate policy needs. Ethical Data Governance: Balancing innovation with privacy, security, and equity concerns.
8.	Institutionalizing Evaluation and Policy Learning	Focuses on embedding a culture of learning and evidence use within institutions to foster sustainable policy innovation. Key topics include: Evaluation Capacity Development (ECD): Building organizational skills, systems, and incentives for learning. Embedding Feedback Loops in Policy Processes: Turning monitoring insights into adaptive management actions. Institutional Mechanisms for Evidence Uptake: Creating roles, norms, and tools for sustainable evaluation practice. Organizational Learning Frameworks: Leveraging communities of practice and knowledge management platforms. Case Studies of Institutional Success: Lessons from governments, NGOs, and international organizations.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.