Ireland and North Ireland: Evaluation of the Children and Youth Programmes Initiative Supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies

The Atlantic Philanthropies required research and evaluation support for its initiative to invest in and study the effects of programs for disadvantaged children and youth (DCY) in Ireland and Northern Ireland. To meet this requirement, Mathematica carried out various activities to support and enhance research of foundation-funded programs, reporting to the foundation’s Strategic Learning team. The activities included on-site consultation and participation in 20 Expert Advisory Committees to provide research support to child- and youth-serving organizations and their local evaluation teams. In June 2008, Mathematica conducted an evaluation of DCY’s strategy in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The evaluation included interviews with project stakeholders and reviews of relevant policy documents. The findings were presented in 2008 and released in 2009.

In 2011, Mathematica, serving as a subcontractor on this grant, collected information from grantees about their evaluations in order to provide quarterly risk assessments, conduct case studies, and help develop a dissemination strategy. Mathematica also reviewed the program in summer and fall 2011, releasing a final report in 2012.