Evaluation is an essential part of the Armenia MCA Program. One of the key features of the MCC's approach to development assistance is its strong commitment to conducting rigorous impact evaluations of its programs, which employ, whenever possible, methodologies that determine whether results can be reliably attributed to MCC interventions. The Program is evaluated based on the extent to which the interventions contribute to the Compact Goal, which is to decrease rural poverty through improved economic performance in the agricultural sector.

Interim evaluation studies assess the progress in meeting the Compact goals, objectives and outcomes. They provide early lessons learned and identify significant discrepancies between expected results and actual achievements, including an analysis behind the reasons for discrepancies between actual and projected indicators.

Final impact evaluations will address the following issues at a minimum: 

- Effectiveness of program activities in meeting Compact goals; 
- Attribution of measurable outcomes to MCC interventions;
- Reasons behind the success or failure to achieve goals, objectives and targets;
- Unintended results of the program (positive and negative);
- Long-term sustainability of results;
- Re-estimated economic rates of return, comparisons to original estimates, and assessment of differences; 
- Lessons learned applicable to similar projects.

The Detailed Impact Evaluation Plan for MCA-Armenia Rural Roads Rehabilitation and Irrigated Agriculture Projects is provided in the Attachment B of the MCA-Armenia M&E Plan. The baseline report for the Impact Evaluation of MCA-Armenia Water-to-Market Activity, as well as survey data is available online.