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NORC at the University Chicago

Ukraine Monitoring & Learning Support

A woman straightens the stands in a Ukrainian library
Providing top quality performance monitoring, GIS services, media monitoring, and surveys
  • Client
    U.S. Agency for International Development
  • Dates
    2020 – 2025

Problem

USAID wanted to learn and adapt to strengthen their country strategy in Ukraine.

The USAID Mission in Ukraine wanted to use data effectively to monitor, understand, and learn from the implementation of its Country Development Cooperation Strategy, the goal of which was to support an independent, democratic, prosperous, and healthy Ukraine united around core European values. USAID also sought support adapting to a fluid environment—including the full-scale Russian invasion—and making informed decisions on strategy and funding.

Solution

NORC gathered and analyzed data to help USAID make informed decisions.

NORC provided the USAID Mission in Ukraine with high quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning services, including:

  • Indicator review and strengthening and MEL planning
  • Data quality assessments of outcome indicators
  • Surveys, special studies, and assessments
  • Data visualization
  • GIS mapping and analytical expertise
  • Monitoring of traditional and social media

Result

NORC contributed to new and improved knowledge use across the Mission.

Our staff in Ukraine helped develop a new and improved Performance Management Plan (PMP) including visualizations and disaggregation to better understand progress towards achieving objectives and the impacts USAID-funded projects were having on Ukraine. 

We reviewed data for potential indicators of democracy and governance, reviewed a wide range of existing corruption data, and developed a methodology to measure the economic cost of corruption. Other studies we conducted included a quantitative and qualitative study on economic opportunities in frontline areas, an analysis of disinformation in the media, a study of the feasibility of a railway upgrade to facilitate rail travel between Ukraine and the EU, and a survey of Ukrainians outside Ukraine.

We employed GIS expertise to map USAID implementer activities, key outcomes, and other variables of interest. Immediately after the Russian invasion, we developed an interactive map tracking the location of USAID and USAID implementer staff.

We conducted an Evaluation Utilization Rapid Assessment to examine how evidence produced by evaluations was used and produced user-friendly data “placemats” conveying progress toward key development outcomes.

We monitored both traditional and social media, and conducted several waves of a national survey to explore Ukrainians’ perceptions of U.S. government and other foreign assistance in Ukraine. Additional focus group discussions shed light on youth perspectives and insights.

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