Evaluation of Labor Market Programs (HD Learning Week 2008)

Presenters:
Jean Fares, Sr. Economist, HDNSP, World Bank
Sebastian Martinez, Economist, HDNVP, World Bank
Rita Almeida, Economist, HDNSP, World Bank

Chairs:
Jean Fares, Sr. Economist, HDNSP, and Rita Almeida, Economist, HDNSP, World Bank

Joblessness and underemployment are one of the most challenging economic and social problems policymakers face in developing countries.  Governments and policymakers everywhere struggle to find effective and well designed programs that increase the probability that the jobless will find jobs or that the underemployed will increase their productivity and labor income.  As the disincentives and dependencies of the unemployment insurance or social transfers have become better understood, active labor market programs (ALMPs) have attracted more attention as an attractive, and often complementary, option.  However, the effectiveness and efficiency of ALMPs in improving the employability or earnings of the participants remains poorly documented.  Despite the urgent policy demand, very few interventions have been accurately evaluated in the context of developing countries (exceptions include some recent training evaluations in Latin America).  Good practices are still to be defined. 

This session presented some of the ongoing efforts in helping client countries to evaluate their ALMPs.  These are promising programs which are well designed to improve the employability and economic prospects of the most disadvantaged (including youth and the poorest).  They range from employment services, skills training and job creation (including assistance with self-employment and public works).

Presentations

"Evaluation Initiative on Active Labor Market and Youth Employment Programs" (46kb pdf)
by Jean Fares, Rita K. Almeida and Silvia Paruzzolo, HDNSP, World Bank

"Evaluating Youth Employment Programs in Northern Uganda: NUSAF YOP" (989kb pdf)
by Sebastian Martinez, HDNVP, World Bank

"Jump-starting Self-employment? Evidence from the Projectos Productivos Program in Argentina" (162kb pdf)
by Emanuela Galasso (joint work with Rita Almeida), Development Research Group, World Bank