Mid-Term Evaluation of the Better Work and Standards Programme (BEST) Following the DAC Evaluation Criteria

Young Consultants (YC) was engaged by the European Union (EU) to conduct the mid-term evaluation of the Better Work and Standards Programme (BEST), following the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) evaluation criteria. The evaluation aimed to assess the programme’s progress, effectiveness, and contribution to improving labour standards, working conditions, and competitiveness among participating factories in Bangladesh.

The BEST programme sought to improve compliance with international core labour standards and national labour laws while strengthening the competitiveness of participating factories. It also aimed to build factory-level capacity to improve working conditions, productivity, and product quality through enhanced workplace cooperation and to promote competitiveness within global supply chains. The evaluation was designed to generate evidence-based findings on programme implementation and identify areas for improvement in achieving these objectives.

To undertake the assignment, YC’s study team reviewed relevant project documents and conducted desk research to develop a comprehensive understanding of the programme’s objectives, implementation approach, and expected outcomes. The team identified potential participating factories and relevant stakeholders to establish the basis for a structured evaluation and stakeholder consultation process.

YC conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with factory owners, industry associations, and trade bodies to gather insights into programme implementation, compliance with labour standards, workplace conditions, and factory competitiveness. The firm also organized a stakeholder workshop to facilitate consultation, exchange perspectives, and gather feedback from relevant participants regarding the programme’s performance and outcomes.

Following the research and consultation activities, YC analyzed the findings and prepared analytical reports presenting the evaluation results. The reports were submitted to the European Union to support evidence-based assessment of the BEST programme, inform decisions on programme implementation, and identify opportunities to strengthen labour compliance, workplace cooperation, productivity, and competitiveness in participating factories.

Through this assignment, YC provided independent evaluation, document review, stakeholder consultation, qualitative research, and analytical reporting services. The evaluation followed the DAC evaluation framework to support a structured assessment of the programme’s performance and its contribution to improved labour standards and competitiveness in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector.

Assignment Details
Client: European Union (EU)
Location: Dhaka and three other districts, Bangladesh
Contract Value: Approximately US$19,250
Duration: 2 months
Assignment Period: January 2006 – March 2006
Total Staff-Months: 4 staff-months
Key Personnel: M. Zakir Hossain (Project Manager); S. M. Firoj Hasan (Coordinator); Altab Hossain Faruqee
Associated Consultants: Not applicable
Key Deliverables: Project document review and desk research; identification of potential factories and stakeholders; Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with factory owners, associations, and trade bodies; stakeholder workshop and consultation; analysis of evaluation findings; analytical evaluation reports submitted to the European Union.