Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA)

In 2018, the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) started the multi-year Learning-Oriented Real-Time Impact Assessment (LORTA) programme. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of accredited entities, implementing partners and project staff in assessing the impact of their intervention. Specifically, the LORTA team uses  impact evaluation (IE) techniques —a specific type of evaluation based on causal inference—to help project teams understand which activities are working, which are most efficient and which approaches to scale up. Empirical evidence on impacts of climate-related projects is rather scarce, which enables LORTA to become one of the leading global programmes on impact evaluations of climate interventions. 

LORTA stands on three pillars: 

The LORTA programme takes two approaches in capacity-building:

• First, we help GCF projects develop and implement rigorous evaluation designs for their projects. Our annual design workshops offer training to participating project staff and stakeholders on how to develop comprehensive IE designs adjusted to their circumstances. We cover various topics in the field of evaluation, including the concept of counterfactuals, experimental/non-experimental methods, behavioural science, and the application of satellite data. During the workshop, participants are given the opportunity to think through the benefits of impact evaluation for their projects and assess the financial and administrative feasibility of this approach to establishing causal evidence.
• Second, we assist GCF projects in implementing the established IE plans, including those which focus on assessing behavioural interventions. Following each workshop, we onboard some of the participants into the LORTA programme and continue our engagement during the implementation of the established IE plans. Our technical services offered is demand driven and ensures ownership by project teams by strictly tailoring our service to their needs.  Meeting the needs of accredited entities is made possible through frequent and close communication, helping to keep our vision aligned with both on-site staff and stakeholders alike.

The figure below shows the four phases of LORTA programme, detailing what happens once a selected GCF project enters the LORTA portfolio. The in-depth engagement spans from Phase I (deep-dive impact evaluation workshop) to Phase III (final impact evaluation analysis and results). Phase IV is optional and only a selected impact evaluation report that meets the academic standards can be considered and tailored for an academic publication, which helps disseminate the results broader and inform the academic community.  

LORTA utilises some of the insights offered by the IEU’s Behaviour and Design Lab (BaD Lab) in terms of behavioural science approaches, including evaluating how behavioural interventions can enhance GCF investments.

Learn about Behavioural and Design Lab here