SEO Amsterdam Economics Member

SEO Amsterdam Economics carries out independent applied research on behalf of national governments and private sector clients. Our research contributes to the decision-making process of our clients. SEO is affiliated with the University of Amsterdam, ensuring access to the latest scientific methods. We are a not-for-profit organisation that continually invests in the intellectual capital of our staff through PhD programmes, the publication of scientific papers, knowledge networks and conference visits.

SEO has excellent expertise with the integration of mixed methods. These include quantitative evaluation methods (e.g. surveys, quasi-experimental studies, and econometric analysis) and qualitative evaluation methods (including contribution analysis, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions among end-beneficiaries). We see the main strengths of the SEO team as follows:

• Extensive experience with evaluating private sector development programmes in developing countries, including for Dutch development cooperation (e.g. FMO-MASSIF/B-CD, DGGF, FDOV, 2SCALE, IBA), IFC, World Bank, ADB, AFD, etc.
• Highly relevant experience with evaluations of capacity building and training projects, including technical assistance (TA) and training components of MFA and RVO programmes and various evaluations of macroeconomic capacity development programmes (for IOB, Norad, ATAF and the IMF).
• SEO is one of the few European consultancies that has a track record in evaluations of macroeconomic capacity
  development programmes, including in the area of revenue administration and tax policy.
• SEO’s international team has extensive experience with macroeconomic analysis for developing and emerging
  countries, monitoring and evaluation of CD, and coordination with donors.
• Fully versed in international best practice in evaluations of additionality, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability, using OECD-DAC and DCED criteria.

Key clients of SEO’s Global Economics practice are the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the IMF, the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and other international institutions.