The international development nonprofit Counterpart International has published a detailed impact assessment of the Bangladesh Leadership Development Program, a civic engagement program implemented by Counterpart and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The 155-page study, designed and produced by Langer Research Associates, compares pre- and post-training surveys of participants’ civic values, tolerance, democratic orientation, knowledge, efficacy and engagement. Based on in-person interviews with 3,500 LDP participants, it builds on a first-wave baseline study in 2013, using Cohen’s d to measure the effect sizes of observed differences between the two samples.

The assessment finds that the LDP produced significant, positive advances in trainees’ political and community engagement and commitment to community development. Participants emerged from their training with a greater understanding of democracy and community development issues, broader belief in their own ability to effect change, enhanced acceptance of others and more extensive involvement in community activities.

Areas for additional focus were identified, offering useful lessons for future community leadership training. Gains were limited among those who had prior training, more education or higher initial civic awareness, suggesting that such participants would benefit from an enhanced training curriculum or mentoring roles. Results indicated a need to offer particular support to those with more difficult living conditions. And close monitoring and oversight of the performance of implementing partners is warranted.

Survey field work and data processing were directed by D3 Systems, Inc., of Vienna, Va., and carried out by Org-Quest Research Ltd. of Dhaka, Bangladesh. See the full report here.