The Institute for Socio-Economic Development Initiatives (ISEDI) is an outreach arm of the Ateneo de Davao University.  It celebrates its 41st year this year, working with subsistence farmers, fisherfolk, and small-scale entrepreneurs to improve their productivity, sharpen their business acumen, strengthen their organizations and increase their incomes.  ISEDI implements short and medium-term projects funded by the national government agencies, local government units and international development organizations. 

ISEDI maintains a lean core staff and is supported by its on-call development practitioners and consultants and selected university professors.  ISEDI is based at the Jacinto campus of Ateneo de Davao University.  It is given autonomy to pursue development projects that fall within the Ateneo principles (i.e. man for others, responsible environmental stewardship, empowerment of vulnerable groups).  It subscribes to the university’s financial procedures and protocols.  All external projects of ISEDI are approved by the University President. 

ISEDI has completed 125 projects since its inception in 1981, in the areas of research, survey, project and organization assessment, training, project monitoring and evaluation, reforestation, strategic planning and area development, enterprise and livelihood development, and fund management. In the BARMM and Conflict Affected Areas, the Institute for Socio-Economic Development Initiatives has provided a number of interventions that includes training and assessments. Under the project “Capability-Building Training for the Bangsamoro Development Agency”, ISEDI, which was sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Agency, has conducted 9 training courses. There were 178 participants who have gained additional knowledge with regard to proposal writing, basic business skills, operations planning, financial planning, and development planning. Similarly, ISEDI has conducted orientation and training, and monitoring and spot checks in Saranggani, Cotabato, and Compostella Valley for the Project Assessment of PPA 3 under the MTF-RDP – Bangsamoro Development Agency. Part of the tasks were to revisit at least 10 of the interviewed project beneficiaries, to prepare status or final report on the accomplishments, and to assist in the secondary data collection and ensure that the documentation of all interviews were complete and edited before they were submitted. Moreover, ISEDI team also gathered the data needed for the project Madrassah Education in the BARMM: Updating the Profile and Assessing the Impact of Beam Support to the Pilot Madaris. Aside from doing the interview, ISEDI composed the recommendation for the future assistance plans.

In the last ten years, ISEDI has been heavily involved in the implementation of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Sugar Cane Block Farming (SBF) and Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), serving as the local service provider on  three (3) separate work tasks on:  (1) Progress and Process Monitoring , (2) Business Development Services and (3) Agri-Extension.  These works on SBF and ARCCESS were completed, composed of different teams, across all regions in Mindanao as well as in Regions 6 and 7.  However, ISEDI was able to complete non-DAR projects within this 10-year period, and those that are related to surveys are the following:

GIZ  Baseline and Endline Evaluation Using Landscale Framework for the Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Coconut Production STA Coco. GIZ Philippines  wants to pilot the LandScale assessment framework in selected municipalities in the Provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani. This will be done through the conduct of baseline and end-line assessments in 2022 and 2024, respectively in the selected target  coconut farmers in South Cotabato and Sarangani. In addition, it wants to measure the project outcomes and impacti in these two provinces, thus the need to establish a baseline and end-line assessments. ISEDI has been tapped by GIZ to conduct the two assessments.

PhilCAFE Midterm Evaluation (ACDI-VOCA & USDA)  ISEDI has been contracted by ACDI-VOCA  in Dec. 2021 to conduct an evaluation study. Essentially, the PhilCAFE Midterm Evaluation (MTE) is a review and stock-taking endeavor. As such, it is designed to be retrospective, outcomes-oriented, mixed methods in design, participatory, and focused on learning and adaptive management. The MTE findings will inform PhilCAFE of the following: * if they are on track in achieving the objectives, outcomes, and impact;* if their assumptions and logical pathways are still relevant at this point – considering the major shifts in the environment;* in-depth understanding of the results achieved, insights on what works or are not working, and inform adjustments and recommendations;* whether PhilCAFE has mitigated Covid-19 impacts for project participants versus non-project participants; and * whether all project activities integrate ACDI/VOCA’s principles and policies on gender equity, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship. To date, data gathering in CAR, Regions 10, 11, 12, 13,BARMM and NCR is 97% accomplished – 15 FGDs, 50KII, 207 Market System Actors/Firms, 327 MSA rep and 720 Farmers survey.

CONVERGE Midline Assessment. The Asia Foundation (TAF) tapped ISEDI to conduct a Midline Assessment of the Project – Countering Violent Extremism through Responsive Government-Civil Society  Engagement in the Philippines (CONVERGE) in nine project areas in the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga City. The CONVERGE project aims to: 1) build the capacity of local non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), and key stakeholders to identify and effectively address violent conflict and build community resilience; 2) address specific peace and community resilience needs in vulnerable local population segments through small grants to LGUs and local NGOs, and 3) increase coordination among LGUs, local NGOs, researchers, and key stakeholders to improve their ability to address violent conflict and strengthen community resilience sustainably through collaborative, self-financed initiatives, and programming.

ISEDI conducted survey among 419 respondents and focus group discussions (FGD) among 59 key project partners that CONVERGE engaged with from 2020-2021.

The findings of the study were then presented to select stakeholders for validation.  Draft Final Report incorporating the comments from Converge Team and stakeholders was submitted end of April.

JICA-HARVEST IA (JICA/NTCI) ISEDI was tapped by JICA-NTCI to conduct an Impact Study of the HARVEST (Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation) Project.  The study aims to determine the impacts of the HARVEST Project on the quality of life of its beneficiaries, and document the gains, gaps, and challenges concerning project implementation, and lessons learned by both the beneficiaries and project implementers. The study is done in three (3) stages, namely: the first stage is the conduct of a case study, the second stage is a baseline and, the third is an endline survey.

The Case Study has already been completed and Interim Report submitted to JICA-NTCI.  The Reconnaisance Survey which is preparatory activity for Baseline (this May 2022) was conducted in March, followed by virtual meetings with the HARVEST Team and development of Baseline research tools.

Cacao+ Baseline Study, Midterm Review and Final Assessment- (March 2021-June 2023)GIZ –Philippines has commissioned the Institute for Socio-Economic Development Initiatives  (ISEDI) of Ateneo de Davao University to conduct three activities from March 2021 to June 2023 to conduct: 1) Baseline survey  to  determine the prevailing condition of the project and provide input to  GIZ-Philippines on setting the values of the project indicators.  This will generate both qualitative and quantitative data. 2) Midterm review to assess if the project is on-track to meet its projected targets.  This activity will generally generate qualitative data. 3) Final assessment – this will evaluate how the project performed vis-à-vis its objectives and targets.  It will also harvest lessons learned and good practices.The number of survey respondents is 1018 Households(treatment) and 82 (control) areas for a total of 1,100.  The areas covered are the Provinces of Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur/Davao City.

JICA-NTCI Baseline Study of HARVEST2 Project –(April 2021 – August 2021)The project “Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship (HARVEST)” is an official development assistance (ODA) loan project with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines as the intermediary.  It aims to provide financial services accessible to private enterprises and agricultural cooperatives, enabling them to undertake new or expand their existing income-generating activities.  With access to capital, more enterprises and cooperatives will be able to create employment, maximize local resources, and lure more investment into the newly created region of BARMM. With more economic activities available to the people, the project aims to contribute in reducing conflict and in attaining peace.  The project commissioned ISEDI to conduct a survey for a total of 331 respondents in BARMM and other conflict affected areas, that will expand and update the Phase 1’s  Market Database and generate a Farmer Database. This databases will generate information that will assist potential investors (i.e. processors and exporters).

Countering Violent Extremism through Responsive Government-Civil Society Engagement (CONVERGE) in the Philippines – Baseline Study

The Asia Foundation tapped ISEDI to conduct baseline study from December 2020 – April 2021. The assignment involved gathering of information on the focused municipalities’ experiences on violent extremism and the existing structures and protocols on how to counter violent extremism.  Information will be fed to develop or strengthen the government and civil society’s action and projects that deter the residents (especially the youth) from aligning with non-state actors.The study covered 451 respondents in the areas of Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan,  Zamboanga City and Maguindanao.

Impact Evaluation of Awang-Upi-Lebak-Kalamansig-Palimbang-Sarangani Road- (October 2018 – January 2019) – ISEDI was commissioned by the National Economic Development Authority Region 12 to conduct an evaluation of the economic and social impact of the 106 km road funded in part by the Japanese Government. A total of 1,147 respondents participated in the interview from 77 barangays in the 5 municipalities within the stretch of the road project.

Mindanao Productivity for Agriculture Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) Midterm Evaluation(February – May 2017)–MinPACT is a project implemented by ACDI-VOCA with funding from the US Department of Agriculture. The mid-term evaluation aims to assess the project’s progress, effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of the planned and implemented activities as well as the sustainability measures.  It had a total number of 542 farmer respondents, its key informants reached 106 and for each PO, the evaluation team had FGD sessions with 6 to 8 members, representing a mix of officers and members, who have participated in MinPACT activities, and who have started planting the seedlings provided by the project.

Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP)-DA –Conduct of End of Project Evaluation for the WB-AusAID Technical Assistance Grant to MRDP2 –(July 2014-September 2014) The engagement aimed to assess the overall achievement and progress of the AusAID/Technical Assistance (TA) particularly on the level of capacity of the RPCO and LGU personnel in providing agri-fishery services to MRDP Phase 2 beneficiaries and other stakeholders. Different methods and tools like Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Perception Survey, Most Significant Change Stories, Outcome Harvesting and Network Mapping were employed to generate and validate the primary data. In addition, desk review of the available and relevant documents, mainly coming from the Program Support Office (PSO), was also conducted.

Baseline Survey for the ARMM Humanitarian And Development Action Plan (HADP)-(October – December 2016). Following the Mamasapano incident in January 2015 and the subsequent clashes between the government and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Regional Government of Muslim Mindanao crafted the HADP to address the needs of the affected and displaced families in evacuation centers.  A baseline survey was done to get accurate and reliable household information, particularly on their needs.

Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MinSAAD) Project Baseline Survey (July-October 2016) –MinSAAD is a poverty alleviation project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), funded by the Government of the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).  MinSAAD is being implemented in 12 settlement areas and targets to benefit 281,618 individuals.  ISEDI was commissioned to undertake the Baseline Survey in 65 barangays in 7 provinces and interviewed 2,213 households regarding their social, economic, physical and political resources.  The engagement period was between July to October 2016.

Computer Literacy and Internet Connection Impact Study (September 2011 to February 2012):The project assessed the impact of the CLIC project, selecting 225 out of 921 partner schools throughout  Mindanao.  Serving as informants were students, computer teachers, school principal/administrators, parents, and community members (4,888 all).  The impact study explored the impact of computer and internet services on the following aspects: student and teacher performance, students’ post-secondary education aspirations, services that can be availed online and  updated information on other social benefits, improved self-confidence, maintenance of social ties with faraway relatives, and increased creativity, competitiveness and sense of belonging (reduced technological divide, particularly for students in ARMM).  

Evaluation of the Economic Impact of Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Infrastructure Projects (April – August 2011):  Out of the 1,219 infrastructure projects of GEM (one of the most comprehensive development projects by USAID in Mindanao), ISEDI interviewed GEM’s beneficiaries and stakeholders of 233 infrastructure projects.  These projects included port landings, road upgrades, bridges, runway improvements, trading centers, solar dryers and warehouses.  More than 6,300 respondents provided information on how these infrastructure projects improved their household/farm income, improved safety, maximized local resources, attracted more economic activities, and facilitated faster access of people and goods on land and water.  The project recommended specific infrastructure that have the highest return on investment as well as social benefits.

Policy Review and Recommendations on the Role of HRMD Unit/Office as a Strategic partner in Institution Reforms in LGUs (June – July 2010):  The project looked into the actual practice and performance of selected LGUs in terms of human resources management and development (HRMD) compliance, patterns and trends, scoping of HR good practices, and areas for policy recommendations.  The study validated the varying levels of competency, resources, and performance-oriented institutional reforms. It recommended coming up with differentiated standards among LGUs, as recognition of the differing capacities.

Madrasah Education in the ARMM – Updating the Profile and Assessing the Impact of BEAM Support to the Pilot Madaris (January – April 2010):The project assessed the impact of AusAID-funded project Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao. The project generated the opinions of students, teachers, school principals, religious leaders (Ulama), parents and community representatives on the benefits they received/gained from the Madrasah schools (Madaris), particularly the learning materials and teaching methods.

Mindanao Productivity for Agriculture Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) Baseline Study(December 2014-March 2015)–MinPACT is a project implemented by ACDI-VOCA with funding from the US Department of Agriculture.  It focused on three prime commodities of Mindanao – cacao, coffee and coconut – with the primary aim of increasing the incomes and strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers and value chain actors, as well as improving farm management practices, increasing productivity and product quality and access to services and markets.  Between January to March 2014, ISEDI conducted a baseline survey and interviewed 770 household respondents, 166 control respondents, 170 value chain actors and 91 key informants.  The results of the baseline established the pre-MinPACT condition of the farming households and their enablers in MinPACT project sites.  Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP-2) – AusAID Baseline Study (July – Oct 2013 and Jan-April 2014, 2 phases):  This covered 41 selected municipalities throughout Mindanao and 6 Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture. The total number of respondents was 495, represented by municipal and provincial staff involved in the implementation of the MRDP-2, cooperative and association beneficiaries, and agri-business entrepreneurs.  The baseline study generated the baseline data on the AusAID Technical Grant’s performance indicators.  The technical grant aimed to improve the delivery of frontline agricultural and fishery services to the local agricultural sector.