Evaluation
Methodologically Sound Research. Rigorous Evaluation. Global Impact.
The Center for Economic Research and Evaluation (CERE) is a specialized consultancy dedicated to providing institutional-grade evaluation and agentic data solutions. Our firm is founded on the principle that high-level economic insights should be accessible, automated, and grounded in the most rigorous international standards.
The CERE Foundation: A Proven Institutional Track Record
While CERE represents our newest vehicle for innovation, our methodology is built upon the extensive professional portfolio of our founder. We bring decades of “boots-on-the-ground” experience from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank Group to every engagement, ensuring that our clients benefit from a level of expertise typically reserved for major global institutions.
Flagship Portfolio: StartMashreq Multi-Country Evaluation
Our foundational expertise is exemplified by the $3.1 million, multi-country performance assessment of the StartMashreq Project. This evaluation utilized a rigorous mixed-methods design, including a structured endline survey of 63 participating firms conducted via SurveyCTO, and 15 in-depth interviews with startup founders and ecosystem experts across Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.
- Impact Verification: We documented that participating firms mobilized capital and generated revenues well above targets, raising over $34.8 million and generating $149.2 million across three markets.
- Methodological Innovation: A central feature of this evaluation was the deployment of CERE’s proprietary Investment Readiness Framework. We utilized a weighted assessment index to measure baseline and post-intervention capabilities across six strategic dimensions: Team, Market, Product, Finance, Legal, and Investment Proposition.
- Capability Benchmarking: We documented a significant upward shift in firm capabilities, with the overall portfolio readiness index increasing from 14.3 to 17.4 on a 25-point scale.
- Inclusive Results: The evaluation verified that the project met or exceeded completion targets for women-led and forcibly displaced person (FDP) led startups in multiple markets.
M&E Design & Sector Studies
Our methodology has been refined through a series of foundational assessments and system designs for the IFC and World Bank:
- Framework Development: Task leadership for the design of the M&E framework and web-based reporting systems for the South Asia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) Phase II.
- Quasi-Experimental Design: Task leadership for the ex-post impact evaluation of technical skill development at the CAIRN Enterprise Center in India.
- Enterprise Surveys and Sector Studies: Managing the Multi-Sector Enterprise Survey across light engineering and agri-food industries in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Social & Economic Analysis: Conducting rigorous cost-benefit analyses for energy-efficient technology implementation in heavy industrial sectors.
Evaluation/Assessment Portfolio Summary
| Year | Project / Initiative | Location | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–2025 | StartMashreq Project | Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon | Startup ecosystems, investment readiness, and OECD-DAC criteria. |
| 2009–2014 | SEDF Phase II | South Asia | M&E framework design, indicator setting, and web-based reporting. |
| 2010 | CAIRN Enterprise Center | Rajasthan, India | Quasi-experimental impact evaluation of technical skill development. |
| 2010 | SEDF Phase I Impact Evaluation | South Asia | Large-scale impact assessment of IFC advisory services. |
| 2008–2009 | Multi-Sector Enterprise Survey | Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan | Industrial research in light engineering, agri-food, and poultry. |
| 2008 | Energy Efficient Tech Study | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Social and economic cost-benefit analysis for re-rolling industries. |
| Various | Multi-Country Client Surveys | Egypt, Pakistan, South Asia | Baseline assessments and business/client surveys for IFC projects. |
