Mid-term evaluation of the USAID/Nicaragua enterprise and employment (E&E) activity : final report

The activity is being implemented by CARANA Corporation (CARANA). A mid-term evaluation of the activity was carried out from January 11 through February 29, 2012 by a three-person team contracted by Mendez England & Associates (ME&A). The purpose of the evaluation was to: 1) inform USAID/Nicaragua of E&Es contribution to enterprise development, trade capacity building and business climate, and business leadership development in Nicaragua; and 2) provide USAID with an informed basis on which to consider options for future economic growth assistance that would sponsor continued support for trade, investment, and employment. Furthermore, the evaluations findings, recommendations, and conclusions were to provide USAID with an analytical foundation for the design of a follow-on activity that captures the lessons learned and documents the accomplishments of E&E.The E&E evaluation had two main objectives: 1)Determine the impact of the E&E project on small medium enterprises (SMEs) and anchor firms in terms of employment, investment, local and export sales, the facilitation of credit, and the productivity of these firms as an indication of efficiency and competitiveness; and 2)Determine the effectiveness of the project management team and its implementation strategy, along with the sustainability of value chain activities after the E&E project ends.