Optimal's International Practice (IP) provides rigorous research and analysis to enhance evidence-based decision making in the international development and public policy disciplines.  Optimal's IP team consists of policy analysts, economists, statisticians, evaluation, and information technology specialists.  Projects by the International Practice cover a range of economic development issues including education, public health, entrepreneurship, export promotion, agriculture, and food security globally. Our team has experience working globally in these topic areas and collaborating with culturally diverse groups, reflecting Optimal's own diversity. The IP team includes members from all broad subgroups and from five continents, and is proficient in 15 languages, allowing the staff to engage with a range of community groups in demanding situations that require effective communication.

Subject Matter Expertise

• Economic development
• Education
• Public health
• Information technology
• Agriculture
• Nutrition and food security
• Climate Change
• Trade
• Entrepreneurship and Energy

Technical Expertise:

• Quantitative and qualitative evaluation studies and assessments
• Econometrics
• Evaluation methodologies
• Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Capacity building and training
• Implementing innovative as well as traditional evaluation processes
• Developing comprehensive and user-friendly reports
• Technical Assistance

Clients

U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Department of State

Projects

Secondary Analysis and Results Tracking (SART)
US Agency for International Development, Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment (E3)

Economic Impact of International Exchange Programs
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Learning, Evaluation, and Analysis Project (LEAP)
U.S. Agency for International Development, Office of Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)

Examples of  LEAP task order summary reports include:

USAID/Ethiopia
Cost-Benefit Analysis of USAID/Ethiopia Selected Value Chains of Agricultural Projects in Ethiopia: AMDe, GRAD, LMD, and PRIME Projects: Summary Report

USAID/Macedonia
The Mid-Term Performance Evaluation of USAID/ Macedonia’s Investment Development and Export Advancement Support (IDEAS) Project

USAID/Rwanda
Cost–Effectiveness Analysis Of USAID/Rwanda Feed The Future Project, Nutrition: Behavior Change and Social Marketing Phase 1 Final Report

USAID/Armenia Entrepreneurship and Civic Activism for Young People Project
Mid-Term Performance Evaluation of the Junior Achievement of Armenia (JAA) Entrepreneurship And Civic Activism For Young People USAID/Armenia Final Report

USAID/Bangladesh
Poverty Reduction by Increasing the Competiveness of Enterprises (PRICE) Final Performance Evaluation Final Report

USAID/Liberia
USAID Liberia Feed the Future Population-Based Survey Final Report