Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) of the FSDU MSE Recovery Fund project, Uganda

• Aug 22, 2024
• 1 min

MSC led the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) of the micro and small enterprises (MSE) recovery fund. This revolving credit facility was launched to support Uganda’s MSEs recover from the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project sought to ensure that the Fund’s design and delivery remained responsive, equitable, and grounded in real-time evidence.

MSC played a central role to improve the Fund’s monitoring, results measurement (MRM), and learning systems. Our team designed and implemented a concurrent monitoring framework to track performance indicators in real time. We conducted a nationwide quantitative survey, which reached more than 50,000 MSEs to collect actionable data on financial behavior, credit usage, and recovery progress. We also carried out gender-disaggregated analyses to evaluate the Fund’s reach and effectiveness among women-led enterprises. These analyses assessed broader outcome indicators related to financial stability and business resilience.

Our work featured innovative digital tools and ethical, context-sensitive research methodologies for safe, timely, and inclusive data collection during a period of heightened vulnerability. Our insights informed evidence-based recommendations that enabled FSDU and its partners to make strategic adjustments to enhance the Fund’s effectiveness. These adjustments improved the Fund’s transparency, equity, and ability to serve the most affected segments of Uganda’s MSE sector.

Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) and the Mastercard Foundation commissioned the project.