Output

1) Research Report

This report will be the main technical output of the project. It will be developed using the standard methodology for Evidence Gap Maps (EGMs), adapted to the context of productive development services (PDS) targeting MSMEs across the 21 APEC economies. Data and information will be obtained through a multi-source research strategy comprising: (i) a systematic desk-based review of publicly available studies and evaluations; (ii) semi-structured interviews with selected officials and experts from APEC economies; and (iii) an online survey distributed across all 21 economies to gather additional inputs on evaluation practices, program characteristics, and evidence gaps.

The research methodology will include:

-Defining the analytical framework (theory of change and intervention– outcome matrix, specifying the types of PDS included in the study).

-Conducting a systematic desk-based search for rigorous empirical evidence, prioritizing impact evaluations from academic databases, grey literature, and specialized sources.

-Interviewing key informants from selected economies to provide complementary contextual and methodological information.

-Developing the evidence matrix, classifying identified studies by type of service, methodology, sector, geographic context, and gender focus.

-Producing visual analytical outputs (charts, diagrams, and the Evidence Gap Map) that summarize the distribution of evidence and highlight areas with high concentration of studies and critical knowledge gaps.

-Analyzing the strengths, limitations, and lessons derived from the available evidence, and formulating preliminary recommendations on the most appropriate evaluation approaches for different services and contexts.

The Research Report will include: (i) introduction and analytical framework; (ii) detailed methodology; (iii) results of the evidence search, survey, and interviews; (iv) the Evidence Gap Map and accompanying visuals; and (v) discussion and recommendations. It will have a minimum of 50 pages (excluding annexes) and will serve as the conceptual and methodological foundation for the regional workshop and for the preparation of the Final Report.

2) Workshop

The two day workshop will bring together policymakers, evaluation experts, and representatives from APEC economies. Its purpose is to share the findings of the evidence systematization and the Evidence Gap Map (EGM), as well as to draw on impact evaluation experiences developed across the region. The event will serve as a platform to compare findings, discuss lessons learned, and build regional cooperation networks that strengthen the use of evidence in the design and evaluation of productive development services.

The two-day workshop, which will be held in Lima in March 2027 (7–8 hours per day), will include:

-Presentation of the Evidence Systematization Report and the Evidence Gap Map, including visual analytical outputs (charts, diagrams, and the interactive map) that highlight areas with a high concentration of studies and critical evidence gaps.

-Showcase of selected impact evaluation cases identified through the systematic evidence review and interviews with key stakeholders.

-Exchange of experiences and best practices among APEC economies on the use of impact evaluations for policy and program design.

-Discussion of lessons learned, recurrent challenges, and opportunities for regional collaboration to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking.

-Collection of feedback and inputs from participants to refine and complement the project’s findings and final recommendations.

A post-workshop evaluation will be conducted to collect feedback on relevance, quality, and usefulness, and to guide improvements for future capacity-building activities.

3) Final Report

The Final Report will serve as the project’s final document. It will integrate the findings from the Evidence Systematization and the Evidence Gap Map (Product 1), along with the inputs gathered during the Regional Exchange Workshop (Product 2). The report will include:

-An introduction outlining the background, objectives, and scope of the project.

-A methodology section summarizing the approach used for the evidence systematization and the development of the EGM.

-Summarizing the findings of the Evidence Systematization and the Evidence Gap Map (EGM).

-Integrating the insights, experiences, and feedback collected during the Regional Workshop, and highlighting notable impact evaluation experiences shared by APEC economies.

-Consolidating the recommendations into a final set of practicalguidelines for the evaluation of productive development services. The Final Report will include at least 5 recommendations.

As outlined above, the Final Report will include an introduction, a methodology section, key findings, workshop insights, and a set of final recommendations. This report will provide an accessible synthesis of the available evidence on productive development services for MSMEs in APEC economies, highlight the most relevant impact evaluation experiences shared by participating economies, and present practical, consensus- based recommendations aimed at strengthening policy evaluation capacities across the region. The Final Report will have a minimum length of 90 pages (excluding annexes).

Outcome

1) The expected outcome of the project is strengthen knowledge and understanding among policymakers and technical teams from APEC economies regarding evaluation methodologies applied to productive development services for MSMEs, along with their main findings, strengths, and knowledge gaps. This outcome will provide a common foundation of information and analysis to guide future evaluations and research across the region.

2) Through the regional exchange and learning workshop and the consolidated report of results and recommendations (Research Publication), participants will strengthen their capacities to apply evaluation approaches and adopt best practices in the design and monitoring of productive development policies, thereby promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing among APEC economies.

Beneficiaries

The main direct beneficiaries of the project will be policymakers and technical officials from ministries and agencies responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of productive development services for MSME in APEC economies. These actors will immediately benefit from the comparative report and the Evidence Gap Map, which will provide a clear diagnosis of available methodologies and the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. The regional workshop will also serve as a practical learning and peer exchange space, strengthening their capacities to apply evaluation tools and improve institutional processes.

Likewise, academic institutions, research centers, and impact evaluation experts will represent an important group of beneficiaries, as they will be able to use the findings and systematized methodologies as inputs for their research and to provide stronger advisory support to governments. The project will also add value to related APEC fora, particularly the SME Working Group (SMEWG), which will benefit from new technical inputs to enrich their discussions and planning processes.

The indirect beneficiaries will be MSME in the region, as the support services they receive will be better designed, targeted, and evaluated as a result of evidence-based policymaking. Finally, APEC economies as a whole—and society at large—will benefit in the medium term from strengthened institutional capacities, improved allocation of public resources, and increased productivity and competitiveness of enterprises.