Skip to content
Discuss your research
Case study

Building the evidence to track stronger livelihoods.

Establishing a baseline and monitoring framework for a livelihoods programme in Cameroon.

Explore the findings

Study at a glance

Industry
Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment
Country
Cameroon
Year
2025
Participants
1,600 households
Monitoring, Evaluation and LearningSocial and Development Research
The context

Progress needed a reliable starting point.

A multi-year, donor-funded livelihoods programme was implemented to improve income generation, food security, and resilience among vulnerable households in selected regions of Cameroon. The implementing agency engaged SurveySphere Africa to conduct an independent baseline study and establish a robust monitoring framework to support adaptive programme management.

The questions

Defining what progress would look like

  1. Establish baseline indicators for programme participants and comparison groups.

  2. Assess household income sources, food security, and livelihood assets.

  3. Develop a performance monitoring framework aligned with donor requirements.

  4. Strengthen evidence-based decision-making during implementation.

The approach

Understanding livelihoods across communities

Household research and stakeholder perspectives established a baseline and monitoring framework for a multi-year programme in Cameroon.

  1. Household surveys using CAPI (n = 1,600) across rural and peri-urban communities

  2. FGDs with beneficiaries and community leaders

  3. KIIs with programme staff and local stakeholders

  4. results-based monitoring indicators

  5. OECD-DAC criteria for relevance and effectiveness

What the research showed

A shared baseline revealed different regional needs.

Identified regional disparities in income diversification and resilience levels.

From findings to action

Established a clear and reliable baseline for tracking programme progress. Developed a monitoring dashboard to support real-time programme learning.

What happened next

A clearer basis for targeting and programme decisions.

The baseline and monitoring framework enabled the client to refine targeting strategies, strengthen implementation, and meet donor reporting requirements, supporting effective programme delivery and future evaluations.

Related research

Explore other studies and their research approaches.

Impact Evaluation of Community Health Intervention

A donor-funded public health programme aimed to improve maternal and child health outcomes in underserved communities. The client required an independent impact evaluation to assess effectiveness and value for money.

Explore details

Programme Monitoring & Outcome Evaluation

An international development organization implemented a youth employability programme aimed at improving skills and employment outcomes for vulnerable young people. The client required an independent evaluation to assess programme effectiveness.

Explore details

Midline Evaluation of an Agricultural Value Chain Programme

A donor-funded agricultural value chain programme was implemented across selected states in Nigeria to improve smallholder farmer productivity, market access, and household income. Midway through implementation, the client engaged SurveySphere Africa to conduct an independent midline evaluation to assess progress, identify implementation gaps, and inform adaptive programme management.

Explore details

What experience would help you assess the fit?

Share the sector, audience and methods relevant to your research brief.

Discuss relevant experience