The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean Project Information Document/ Identification/Concept Stage (PID) Public Disclosure Copy Concept Stage | Date Prepared/Updated: 30-Jan-2024 | Report No: PIDC293340 Jan 30, 2024 Page 1 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Environmental and Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Social Risk Project Name Classification Low Monitoring and Evaluation P181560 Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean Region Country Date PID Prepared Estimated Date of Approval LATIN AMERICA AND Latin America and Caribbean 30-Jan-2024 CARIBBEAN Financing Instrument Borrower(s) Implementing Agency Public Disclosure Copy Investment Project Universidad de Catolica de Pontificia Universidad Financing Chile-CLEAR LAC Catolica de Chile PROJECT FINANCING DATA (US$, Millions) SUMMARY -NewFin1 Total Project Cost 1.00 Total Financing 0.50 Financing Gap 0.50 DETAILS -NewFinEnh1 Non-World Bank Group Financing Trust Funds 0.50 Global Evaluation Initiative Multi-Donor Trust Fund 0.50 B. Introduction and Context Country Context 1. Although the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region economy rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, poverty and inequality remain a challenge. The region successfully recovered to its pre-COVID-19 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) levels , inflation is declining from 7.8 percent in 2022 to 5 percent in 2023 and employment rates have bounced back to levels observed before 2019. Despite these recent improvements in macro performance, overall poverty remains at a high 31.4 percent with a Gini coefficient of 48.7. Thus, Jan 30, 2024 Page 2 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean much remains to be done to narrow the persistent inequality and poverty gaps and sustain the region’s economic resiliency. 2. Addressing LAC’s persistent poverty and inequality, and enhancing public policies requires effective country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems. The effectiveness of governance, policy formulation, and program implementation hinges on the functioning of comprehensive M&E systems that allow governments to adjust policies based on evidence. Governments require relevant data to monitor their efforts in addressing significant challenges, mitigate socioeconomic consequences, assess policy effectiveness promptly, and make necessary adjustments. M&E frameworks also enhance public accountability and provide opportunities for dialogue between citizens and public institutions. 3. Evaluation Capacity Development (ECD) plays a critical role in building effective country-owned M&E systems. Evaluation systems need to be led by national governments, respecting the principle of national Public Disclosure Copy ownership of the development process and ensuring their sustainability through national resources. Effective national M&E systems require well-functioning institutions, universities that can provide high-quality training to M&E practitioners and users, vibrant Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs), and a cadre of professional M&E specialists who can conduct robust evaluations. 4. The regional demand for ECD services in LAC remains largely unmet. A recent study by the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) showed that while 91 percent of national development strategies approved after 2015 explicitly refer to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), only 35 percent of them have the required data and systems to track implementation. In the LAC region, where at least 20 countries have been working on strengthening their M&E systems, recent consultations confirmed that supply gaps exist in terms of M&E training and support to governments to strengthen M&E systems. Many countries in LAC need assistance to develop high-quality M&E systems and build their capacities. 5. The current conditions of M&E capacities and systems across LAC countries vary significantly. Based on the National Evaluation Capacity Index (INCE) average score, LAC countries are classified into two groups. The first group represents countries with nascent to intermediate evaluation capacities, and includes countries such as the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Paraguay with significant need for strengthening their capacities. The second group encompasses countries with intermediate to high evaluation capacities and well-established networks and institutions that champion evidence-based policymaking. This group include countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. This classification will be used for the purpose of this project to design programs that address the specific needs of a cluster of countries in each of the two groups. Sectoral and Institutional Context 6. In 2010 the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR) Initiative was established to address critical gaps in developing countries’ M&E systems and capacities. Existing CLEAR Centers (located in Brazil, South Africa, Senegal, India, Pakistan and China) continue to provide technical assistance, advisory services, Jan 30, 2024 Page 3 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean knowledge, research, and training on M&E to strategic partners and clients in their respective regions, including government, civil society, practitioners, and the private sector. CLEAR Centers offer critical M&E expertise to help governments build capacity at national, regional, and subnational levels to measure development progress and outcomes, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, and increase government accountability and transparency. CLEAR Centers bring together academic institutions and donors to promote the use of evidence in decision-making by supporting the creation of M&E systems and strengthening M&E skills and practices in partner countries. The Centers work at all levels of capacity building for M&E – the enabling environment, organizational and individual levels. 7. Beginning in 2020 the CLEAR Centers became implementing partners of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank in partnership with the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). The GEI seeks to catalyze M&E capacity building efforts by bringing together key actors and Public Disclosure Copy experts in the evaluation field to help governments in developing countries place evidence at the heart of decision making. GEI is an inclusive global partnership committed to developing country-owned, sustainable M&E frameworks and capacities to promote the use of evidence in public decision-making, enhance accountability, and achieve better results. GEI focuses on addressing market failures and generating positive external spillovers in the M&E environment and culture at institutional, national, or regional levels. 8. The CLEAR Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (CLEAR LAC) will be the main provider of ECD services in the region. This project will finance the launching and operations of CLEAR LAC over the coming two years. Guided by a comprehensive understanding of the regional landscape, CLEAR LAC's strategy embodies a robust approach aimed at promoting the use of evidence for decision-making processes supported by strengthened M&E systems. The Center covers all countries in the LAC region, except for Brazil, which is served by a separate CLEAR Center for Portuguese-speaking countries. Box 1. The Global Evaluation Initiative The Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI) is a partnership centered on the vision that better evidence contributes to better policies, and ultimately to better lives. GEI expects to be a catalyzer, bringing together key actors and experts in the evaluation field to help governments in developing countries place evidence at the heart of decision making. GEI intends to act as a broker, helping developing countries find solutions and financing for their country M&E systems and capacity development, building on their strengths and endogenous knowledge, and leveraging the best available local, regional, and global knowledge. GEI anticipates playing a critical role in fostering M&E knowledge generation and sharing it globally and locally, so that M&E knowledge generated in one country in the world is made available to others as relevant for greater learning and effectiveness. GEI’s partners support Evaluation Capacity Development (ECD) in developing countries, fostering evidence-informed decision-making through enhanced M&E frameworks, capacity, and use. GEI’s central aim is to strengthen the M&E frameworks and capacities of governments and other stakeholders in developing countries and the use of M&E evidence by these stakeholders, by establishing a global partnership of ECD providers and experts supported by a hybrid Trust Fund. GEI supports individuals, Jan 30, 2024 Page 4 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean governments, and other organizations where there is a market failure in terms of the supply of, or demand for, ECD services (e.g., ECD service providers are unavailable or inadequately meeting market demands). Through GEI, more countries will be able to establish and use M&E systems as well as conduct and use evaluations to inform organizational learning, accountability, and decision-making. This will contribute to more relevant and effective policy interventions, better responses to shocks, and ultimately progress towards national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GEI partners with key ECD players around the world and coordinates with them to achieve its strategic priorities and outcomes. Partnerships focus on leveraging entities’ areas of strength and comparative advantage. For instance, partners such as the regional Centers for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR Initiative) leverage their strengths in providing technical assistance to strengthen M&E systems in developing countries. CLEAR LAC, with its expertise in providing M&E capacity building services and its reputation for excellence, will be an essential partner in supporting GEI’s work in building M&E Public Disclosure Copy stakeholders’ capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Relationship to CPF 9. World Bank Group (WBG) Strategic Priorities. The World Bank Group’s strategic priorities and commitments set out in the Forward Look, Capital Increase Policy Package, IDA replenishment documents, and WBG Evolution Roadmap demonstrate the level of ambition needed to reach the WBG’s twin goals and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. M&E has an important role to play in monitoring the progress towards these goals, enhancing good governance, transparency, and accountability in client countries, thus ultimately contributing to better development outcomes. As an implementing partner of GEI focused on developing and improving the M&E capabilities of key stakeholders in the LAC region, this grant will provide WBG clients with tools to enhance the effectiveness of policies and ultimately progress towards strategic priorities in the Latin America and Caribbean region. 10. The Project also contributes to the IDA20 priorities. Specifically, it contributes to the IDA20 commitments related to two cross-cutting themes (a) boosting institutional capacity to improve data for policy decision-making, and (b) strengthening core governance institutions which is aligned with both Human Capital and Jobs and Economic Transformation Special Themes. The Project directly aligns with, and responds to, the stated objectives which are sought to be achieved through strengthening institutions and building their capacity to reduce gaps in the availability of core data for evidence-based policy-making, including disaggregation by sex and disability where appropriate; and increasing the resilience of statistical systems, including through investments in digital technology and high-frequency monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the Project supports and strengthens core governance institutions that facilitate effective, inclusive, and responsive public services, enhance transparency and accountability, and promote resilience and trust, including by partnering with key national and international stakeholders. 11. World Bank Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Strategy. One of the strategic priorities for the regional strategy includes “increasing productivity by supporting improvements in accountability, competitiveness, and transparency”. This Project will contribute to this priority through strengthening M&E capacities and program reporting systems of institutions in client countries in the region. Enhanced Jan 30, 2024 Page 5 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean evaluation capacity and M&E systems will also have an important role in strengthening countries’ ability to track results and monitor the progress toward achieving SDGs. 12. World Bank Group Outcome Orientation. Through its participation in the GEI partnership, CLEAR LAC will also support the WBG’s outcome orientation agenda. In 2005, the WBG rolled out results-based management at the country level and, in 2023, it continues to build on this experience to strengthen outcome orientation. This grant will contribute to GEI’s support to the WBG outcome orientation agenda by strengthening the overall monitoring and evaluation frameworks and capacity of client countries and institutions through building a cadre of professionals trained in monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management practices as well as fostering and enabling environment for evidence-based policy- making and reforms that facilitate transparent governance and results-oriented program delivery. 13. Paris Alignment. The proposed Project would also be Paris Aligned as it is consistent with Chile’s climate Public Disclosure Copy commitments reflected in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) as well as UNDP's regional report on The State of Climate Ambition 2022- LAC Regional Snapshot. Chile’s commitment to climate action was updated in 2023, increasing the ambition in all NDC components, and focusing particularly on transparency, clarity, and monitoring of the established goals. The proposed activities under the project will contribute towards Chile's NDC commitments and the broader regional NDC goals by strengthening and improving the monitoring and evaluation capacities of supported countries, through transparent data monitoring, reporting and verification systems of NDC related performance targets and goals. The project activities will not hinder the achievement of any of the regional NDCs and no specific risks with respect to the mitigation and adaptation aspects of the Paris Alignment Assessment are flagged at this stage. 14. LAC Regional Gender Action Plan (RGAP FY 21-25 ). The Project particularly responds to one of the key pillars defined in the regional Gender action plan: Analysis, evidence and knowledge generation (which focuses on the impact knowledge products have on the design of gender-tagged operations) and a cross- cutting theme related to Knowledge management. To that end, the activities supported under this Project will seek to foster collaborations with international organizations such as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to promote activities that fall in line with the LAC Regional Gender Action Plan. The Project also plans to target, when feasible, activities that consider the production and use of evidence specific to gender issues. C. Project Development Objective(s) Proposed Development Objective(s) 14. The project will improve monitoring and evaluation frameworks, capacity, and use in select countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. In doing so, the project will seek to build partnerships with governments and existing Evaluation Capacity Development (ECD) providers to generate synergies. This project will contribute to the higher-level development objective of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), namely, to improve monitoring and Jan 30, 2024 Page 6 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean evaluation frameworks, capacity, and use in supported Latin America and the Caribbean countries for improved evidence-informed policy making. Key Results 15. Theory of Change. The proposed project is predicated on a Theory of Change that links CLEAR LAC’s inputs to results at the “ecosystem” level in client countries. Working with different stakeholders through training, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing, CLEAR LAC helps to identify and address key gaps in M&E systems on the one hand and find opportunities to strengthen them on the other. With its product menu offerings, CLEAR LAC is expected to address M&E needs at subnational, national and regional levels in Latin America and the Caribbean in a way that contributes to better data, improved knowledge, practices and behaviors, and ultimately improved use of evidence in decision-making. Partnerships are a critical ingredient to achieve expected results at all levels. A full illustration of the underpinning Theory of Change is presented in Box 2 below. Public Disclosure Copy Box 2: Underlying Theory of Change [to be added in hybrid document as pictures cannot be inserted at AIN stage] The proposed key PDO results indicators for this grant are:  Number of policies, strategies, and/or plans supported by/contributed to by this grant.  Percentage of participants that provide positive feedback on training relevance, quality and knowledge acquired.  Expanded institutional, thematic, or geographic coverage through new or existing partnerships.  Percentage of partners providing positive feedback on technical assistance supports. D. Preliminary Description Activities/Components A. Project Rationale 17. CLEAR LAC is best positioned to deliver a range of quality ECD services to the region. CLEAR LAC´s strategy within LAC countries encompasses developing a culture for evidence-based decision-making, building capacities for a cadre of evaluators and M&E specialists, and disseminating and exchanging M&E knowledge. The Center´s strategy will target organizations, individuals and the enabling environment in a core set of priority countries. However, generating a systemic impact on countries´ M&E systems will require substantive and sustained engagement in the medium term. The GEI experience to date has shown that not only time but also the depth of engagement is critical in attaining results in a country. Given the limited amount of resources available through this project and the fact that this is the initial phase of the new CLEAR LAC center, attention will be focused on a small number of priority countries, building on efforts and experiences of other regional stakeholders (e.g. InterAmerican Development Bank Office of Evaluation and Jan 30, 2024 Page 7 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean Oversight (IADB OVE) engagement in Guatemala over the past few years) so as to capitalize on results already achieved and maximize the potential of this project’s resources. 18. CLEAR LAC will focus its operations on a small number of countries to maximize its impact. In the preliminary phase leading to the design of this project, the CLEAR LAC team conducted an exercise to facilitate the selection of possible target countries. To do so, a two-pronged approach was utilized. A first classification was made based on key macro-economic indicators, including differential income levels and governance indicators. Eight countries met all criteria used for the classification and made the first selection. The second phase further refined the country selection process primarily based on a qualitative assessment of criteria such as existing collaboration opportunities and demand. These criteria were integrated in a composite score. The selection process generated two separate groups, that will be called Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 countries are those where M&E capacity is at nascent to intermediate stages, while Group 2 consists of countries with intermediate to high M&E capacities. Group 1 priority countries Public Disclosure Copy selected through this process will be the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay, while Mexico and Colombia will be the focus for Group 2 countries. Initial exploratory activities in these countries will serve to validate this selection or indicate the necessity for potential adjustments, providing flexibility if context shifts. CLEAR LAC remains committed to fostering collaboration with stakeholders from other countries, including English-speaking LAC nations, to further develop a comprehensive regional approach in the subsequent years. 19. Operational approach for Group 1 and Group 2 countries. For Group 1 countries this approach will start with an assessment encompassing desk reviews, stakeholder interviews, and a detailed analysis of INCE results wherever available, complementing this with an adaptation of the Monitoring and Evaluation System Analysis (MESA) tool wherever needed. The Center will then design a customized ECD action plan that will include training, advisory services or technical assistance and knowledge exchange to foster evidence-based decision-making and fortify robust M&E systems. For Group 2 countries the focus will be on strengthening existing capacities, particularly within subnational governments, and advancing sector-specific M&E practices, leveraging new resources that the Center will use to sustain future operations in Group 1 countries. Additionally, Group 2 countries, will serve as champions for Group 1 countries, fostering synergies and facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices within the region. 20. In addition to a focus on country-level engagements, the Center will support regional activities and initiatives to address M&E gaps in the region. The Center’s main focus on regional activities and initiatives will be on playing a key role to facilitate knowledge sharing and conduct capacity-building initiatives, spotlighting regional priorities such as gender, fragility, violence and climate change. B. Activities/Components 21. CLEAR centers follow GEI guidance to implement a country program model that often starts with identifying demand, developing partnerships, and providing knowledge products to delivering diagnostics, advising on systems strengthening and policies, providing training and guiding on use of evidence and M&E Jan 30, 2024 Page 8 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean for better policies. In line with this broader GEI approach, the CLEAR LAC project will articulate along the following four key components: Component 1: Develop a culture of evidence-based decision-making in LAC 22. CLEAR-LAC’s focus under this component will be on helping governments build more transparent, effective, and accountable M&E systems, which are crucial for developing efficient and effective public policies. 23. For priority countries in Group 1, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay, CLEAR LAC will focus first on establishing strong partnerships with government agencies responsible for M&E. Component 1 activities, in these four countries, will include: a) M&E diagnostic and stakeholder mapping: The Center will conduct diagnostic exercises to identify the Public Disclosure Copy specific M&E needs of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay, using MESA to expand on INCE findings, as well as engaging with current government officials and policymakers. Each rapid diagnostic will serve as a basis for defining customized plans to strengthen M&E systems. The activity will also include carrying out a stakeholder mapping exercise. The diagnostic and stakeholder mapping will be documented for each country. b) Customized plans to strengthen governmental M&E systems: Each diagnostic tool will be used to develop a comprehensive ECD plan for the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay. The M&E diagnostic is required prior to the development of the specific activities for each plan, to make the plan relevant and respondent to the local culture and context. For example, plans may contain specific activities on strengthening institutional frameworks supporting national/sub-national M&E systems such as policies, strategies or evaluation plans or activities enhancing M&E processes and methodologies in practice, or creating new ones, through guides or manuals. The Center will also build a coalition of partners. 24. For Group 2 countries (Mexico, Chile, and Colombia) the focus will be on delivering fee-based M&E diagnostic and customized support plans to governmental agencies. The Center will offer targeted support based on demand-driven specific development needs of these countries. Component 2: Build capacity for a cadre of evaluators and M&E specialists in LAC 25. This component will focus on training a cadre of evaluators, decision-makers and M&E specialists. The Center will identify and focus on relevant stakeholders who play key roles in designing, implementing, or evaluating policies. The Center will provide targeted courses that promote a culture of evidence-use and robust policy design. Activities under this component will include the following: a) Design a core-course that includes topics such as measurement for M&E, theory of change, monitoring, indicators, and types of evaluations. Jan 30, 2024 Page 9 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean b) Deliver the core course to Group 1 countries (the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay) after the design concludes. The course will be mostly provided through an online platform and will be combined with at least one in-person activity to increase engagement with CLEAR LAC and strengthen the country networks. c) On-demand customized training, courses or workshops, based on country-specific needs of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay. The content and format of the trainings will be derived from the diagnostic and will vary by country. Any costs associated with the training will also be determined on a country-by-country basis. d) A fee-based online core-course open for individuals across the region. Fee waivers or enrollment discounts will be available to incentivize the participation of promising candidates, especially young and emerging evaluators, further strengthening the region's ability to cultivate efficient M&E specialists. Public Disclosure Copy e) Demand-based additional training across the region. Potential additional subsidized or paid customized training, courses or workshops, depending on demand. For example, M&E training for civil society organizations or M&E training focused on integrating a gender perspective or achieving gender equality. 26. Additionally, the development and application of these trainings could serve as an important component of post-graduate certification in M&E through Catholic University, while also serving potentially for a virtual asynchronous platform for reaching diverse audiences across the region. Component 3: Generate, disseminate and exchange M&E knowledge in LAC 27. The Center’s focus under this component will be on contributing to knowledge generation and facilitating knowledge exchanges and collaborations both within priority countries and across the region. In each priority country, the Center will actively work to promote the use of evidence and the relevance of M&E systems. Activities supported under this component will also be instrumental in strengthening the engagement between M&E stakeholders and individuals with the Center. 28. For Group 1 countries (Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay) CLEAR LAC will carry out the following activities: a) National network workshops: CLEAR LAC will implement workshops in each country facilitating the engagement of key partners and stakeholders, especially from government, enabling information sharing, coordination and dialogue, for example to identify M&E capacity gaps, determine the demand and supply for ECD services, among other key topics. Most of these workshops will be conducted virtually and will be implemented in coordination with ECD partners operating in the country and/or local evaluation networks (e.g., VOPEs). b) Webpage, social media and messaging development and content management: Under CLEAR LAC website, a specific section will be dedicated/designated for the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay. This section will have key country-specific evaluation-capacity development information, such as Jan 30, 2024 Page 10 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean current ECD efforts, news and contacts. Additionally, each country will have specific social media and/or messaging channels to circulate country-specific relevant information and facilitating communication. c) Annual seminars or policy outreach activity: To share results from the M&E systems diagnostic and/or developments from the technical assistance agenda for each country, thus ensuring dissemination of valuable information to strengthen their M&E systems. The Center will encourage participation of key partners or stakeholders who are active in the national network workshops. The findings from the activities will be used to create policy briefs which will be readily disseminated among stakeholders. 29. At the regional level CLEAR LAC will carry out the following activities: a) Organize a CLEAR LAC launching event to promote CLEAR LAC’s renewed engagement in the region through an in-person event in Chile. Public Disclosure Copy b) Collaboration with IADB OVE and EVALAC. CLEAR LAC will seek a collaborative arrangement with the IADB OVE and EVALAC to capitalize on the work conducted so far both at country and regional levels. A specific collaborative workplan will be developed in the course of implementation of this project. c) Regional network workshops. CLEAR LAC will organize regional workshops, facilitating information and knowledge sharing, aligning strategic definitions and coordination among regional ECD stakeholders. These workshops include topics such as the competencies evaluators need to develop in LAC or identify and promote the most effective activities that yield increased use of evidence in the region. The workshops will be conducted online, mostly, with eligible access and will be delivered in coordination with ECD partners operating in the region and ReLAC , the regional evaluation network. d) Regional dialogue entitle “Tenemos que Hablar de Evaluación”. The Center will organize a regional dialogue every two years to promote knowledge exchanges on M&E topics. This event will consist of a virtual dialogue between M&E professionals, stakeholders and civil society with similar interests. The methodology implementing the meetings creates numerous and diverse small-size groups, facilitating horizontal dialogue between individuals with different perspectives. e) Webpage, social media messaging development and management. CLEAR LAC will develop and maintain a dedicated CLEAR LAC website and establish a social media and messaging channels to disseminate relevant knowledge, information and facilitating communication within the region. The Center will develop various contents for its webpage and social media channels, including audiovisual products to expand CLEAR LAC’s outreach. f) Annual Publication. The Center will produce at least one annual publication summarizing valuable insights, learnings, and developments in M&E diagnoses or practices within the region. g) Seminars. CLEAR LAC will conduct regular seminars to facilitate knowledge sharing, especially during gLocal Evaluation Week , addressing different audiences within the region. Jan 30, 2024 Page 11 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean 30. The BetterEvaluation platform will be used to disseminate all knowledge produced by CLEAR LAC, thus linking its operations to the broader GEI global network. Component 4: CLEAR LAC Internal Capacity Development, Management and Administration 31. This component will focus on strengthening the internal management capacity of the Center to bring operational and grant administration efficiency as well as transparency in the use of resources. In addition, CLEAR LAC will leverage resources to expand the Center's services to more countries in the medium term. Activities supported under this component include: a) Fundraising and resource mobilization. The Center will develop and implement a fundraising plan and a strategy to mobilize additional resources. b) Partnerships. To deploy its strategy efficiently and raise additional funds, CLEAR LAC will engage key Public Disclosure Copy partners and sign formal agreements, such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and foster these relationships. Additionally, CLEAR LAC will identify academics, within and outside Universidad Católica, to support its work. c) CLEAR LAC Monitoring and Evaluation. The Center will design and implement monitoring instruments to track the progress and report on the results indicators defined under this project. d) International collaboration. CLEAR LAC will engage with GEI networks and interact with other CLEAR Centers to learn from their experience implementing ECD activities. The Center expects to participate every year in evaluation-related global or regional conferences. CLEAR LAC may also collaborate with global and regional ECD established providers such as IPDET and EVALAC to design cutting-edge and world class content. e) Strategic planning and guidance sessions. The Center will conduct strategic planning sessions to define organizational goals, outline growth strategies, and chart a roadmap for the Center's expansion. Periodic strategic guidance sessions will be sought from the Directors of the three Universidad Católica´s Centers supporting CLEAR LAC to assess progress of the Center´s operations. Environmental and Social Standards Relevance E. Relevant Standards ESS Standards Relevance Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social ESS 1 Relevant Risks and Impacts ESS 10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant ESS 2 Labor and Working Conditions Relevant Jan 30, 2024 Page 12 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and ESS 3 Not Currently Relevant Management ESS 4 Community Health and Safety Not Currently Relevant Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary ESS 5 Not Currently Relevant Resettlement Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of ESS 6 Not Currently Relevant Living Natural Resources Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically ESS 7 Not Currently Relevant Underserved Traditional Local Communities ESS 8 Cultural Heritage Not Currently Relevant ESS 9 Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant Legal Operational Policies Public Disclosure Copy Safeguard Policies Triggered Explanation (Optional) Projects on International Waterways OP No 7.50 Projects in Disputed Areas OP 7.60 No Summary of Screening of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts CLEAR-LAC will follow GEI guidance in working through a country programming model that starts with identifying demand, developing partnerships, and preparing and delivering diagnostics. This will be followed by advising on systems strengthening and policies, providing training, and guiding on use of evidence and M&E for better public policies. The specific types of activities to be supported?studies, diagnostics, strengthening plans, trainings, workshops, seminars, etc.?constitute the most benign form of TA that the Bank can support. No adverse environmental impacts or adverse environmental downstream effects are expected, and the adverse social impacts that could arise in the course of project implementation are expected to be negligible. In relation to ESS 2, the project?s dispersed geographical projection and likely need for some country-specific hiring and worker management raise a slight risk that certain fundamental worker protections?such as the operation of GRMs for workers, or the enforcement of codes of conduct?will not be consistently applied. However, these risks should be effectively addressed by i) the use of partnership arrangements, rather than the contracting of third parties, for in-country implementation; and ii) the specification of provisions in the partnership agreements and/or consulting contracts that should make it easier for the CLEAR-LAC to establish and monitor some basic labor management requirements at the country level, and to follow up if corrective actions are needed. CONTACT POINT World Bank Contact : Fabio Pittaluga Title : Senior Operations Officer Jan 30, 2024 Page 13 of 14 The World Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building in Latin America and the Caribbean Telephone No : 5786+89367 / Email : Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower : Universidad de Catolica de Chile-CLEAR LAC Implementing Agencies Implementing Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Agency : Subdirector de Investigación Aplicada en el Contact : Cristian Crespo Title : Centro de Políti Public Disclosure Copy Telephone No : 56954258767 Email : cecrespo@uc.cl FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects Jan 30, 2024 Page 14 of 14