One area in which we see very little impact evaluation is the realm of trade related interventions and reforms.   In a recent paper Olivier Cadot and coauthors give us a discussion of these types of interventions and how we might evaluate them (they also have an attendant book with some applications). 

The need for more evidence is key.   As Cadot & co. point out, trade is receiving an increasing amount of policy attention and donors (the World Bank among them) are stepping up support of trade related interventions.   But, alas, little work is being done.   As a striking example, Cadot & co. review all World Bank trade projects from 1995-2005.   Of these 85 projects, only 5 included an impact evaluation that used a comparison group.  

Now, the old school trade interventions would make it next to impossible to do a credible impact evaluation. However, these are lessening in importance.   As Cadot and co.[...]

[Published in NonProfitBlogs - Read the original article]