PROJECT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKS IN NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT: A REVIEW OF CASE STUDIES FROM SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

This paper reviews and critically analyzes project impact assessment frameworks employed by nonprofit development organizations across South Asia. Drawing upon diverse case studies from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the study identifies patterns, best practices, and limitations in existing evaluation methodologies. It investigates how local contexts—social, economic, and political—influence the design and effectiveness of these frameworks. These frameworks, while offering structured tools for planning and accountability, often emphasize upward reporting and quantifiable results over local ownership, contextual adaptability, and long-term social change. Drawing on 41 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2022, this review systematically examines the methodological approaches, stakeholder engagement levels, institutional capacities, and technological adaptations shaping impact assessment practices in nonprofit development across South Asia. The findings reveal several critical insights. First, the dominance of externally imposed evaluation models has reinforced hierarchical power relations, marginalizing grassroots knowledge and limiting community participation. Second, while participatory and feminist evaluation frameworks are acknowledged in theory, their actual application remains limited, often constrained by organizational capacities and donor priorities. Third, although many organizations prefer mixed-methods approaches to balance rigor and contextual sensitivity, challenges such as resource limitations, insufficient training, and reliance on external consultants hinder their consistent implementation. Additionally, the study finds that evaluations are often conducted for compliance purposes rather than to support organizational learning and adaptive programming. Institutional constraints—particularly in smaller organizations—continue to limit the sustainability and effectiveness of internal monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems.