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At a Glance
Funder:
MasterCard FoundationProject Time Frame:
2012-2017Topic Areas:
EducationService Areas:
Results FrameworkImpact Evaluation
Process Evaluation
Data Collection
Technical Assistance
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Mathematica is serving as the learning partner to the MasterCard Foundation in designing and implementing a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP). The ultimate goal of the MCFSP is to engender social transformation by developing young leaders who will use their education and human capital skills to contribute to the economic growth and social development with a focus on Africa. This innovative program employs a comprehensive approach to the development of leaders through scholarships and educational support program activities that combine five areas: (1) secondary and/or university education, (2) 21st-century skill building, (3) transition and employment support, (4) a give-back component, and (5) an alumni network.
The program targets economically disadvantaged youth who are academically bright and show strong leadership potential. It includes a large number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and university partners. The secondary scholarship program is being implemented by NGOs in Africa (current programs are in Ghana and Uganda), while the university scholarship program is being implemented by a number of universities including those in North America, Costa Rica, Lebanon, and Ghana. The program is expanding secondary and university scholarships to more institutions in Africa.
One of the goals of this project is to understand the impacts of the MCFSP in improving educational attainment and career opportunities and fostering commitment to social betterment of their countries. We will start by creating a MEL results framework design and identify key learning questions for the overall program. Our evaluation will include a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. We will also facilitate convenings to harmonize MEL activities of implementing partners and share lessons learned.
The project will document how implementing partners are using MCFSP grant funding to support their scholarship, student support, and internship programs; the successes they achieve as well as the challenges they face; and how they address these challenges. The project will also document the program targets and outcomes achieved by the implementing partners and the extent to which the MCFSP is meeting its overall goals. The project will examine the impact or incremental value added of the MCFSP in improving outcomes for youth and understanding the extent to which they give back to their countries, over and above what would have happened in the absence of the program.