RECAP: A tool to assess and grow local capacity for rigorous research and evaluation of health programs Local research organizations around the world play a crucial role in research and evaluation of health programs. The Research and Evaluation Capacity Assessment Tool and Resource Package (RECAP) was developed to support local organizations to assess their organizational capacity for research and evaluation, plan for institutional strengthening, and review progress over time. The goal of RECAP is to improve country and organizational capacity and increase organizational readiness to receive direct awards from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other funders. Data for Impact (D4I) hosted a webinar exploring the RECAP package in June 2022. The webinar described how RECAP was developed, provided an overview of the package components, and shared results from tool use in three settings. The webinar speakers included Jessica Fehringer, PhD, Director, D4I; Kristen Brugh, PhD, Senior Evaluation Specialist, D4I; Erin Luben, MPH, Project Director, CDC Enhancing Global Health Security Project, FHI 360; Susan Pietrzyk, PhD, ICF Team Lead, D4I; Liz Millar, MPH, Research Associate, D4I. RECAP was developed by D4I, with support from USAID, and is used by D4I to support local partner organizations and for the project’s own monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Other organizations can use RECAP as part of their monitoring, evaluation, and reporting in support of USAID’s approach to capacity strengthening under the new draft Local Capacity Development Policy. RECAP builds upon previous tools and resources designed to support evaluation capacity assessment and strengthening and was created in consultation with evaluation experts from local institutions and organizations in Ghana and Nepal, USAID, and D4I partners. The RECAP package identifies key domains for research and evaluation activities, and it provides an assessment tool and guidance along with a guide of readily available capacity strengthening resources. Watch the webinar recording and access the RECAP materials.
