Blog

News

News, ideas, and analysis from J-PAL staff and affiliated professors. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly email updates.

Representatives from the zakat management organization share about the existing economic empowerment programs they have implemented in Indonesia

Supporting Indonesia's faith-based charitable funds, zakat, in tackling poverty through the Graduation approach

By
On October 8, J-PAL Southeast Asia hosted a workshop gathering several of Indonesia’s zakat management organizations (Organisasi Pengelola Zakat or OPZ) to explore how zakat, faith-based charitable funds, can further support poverty alleviation through the Graduation approach. In this blog we...
A group of women sit in a circle playing with their young babies

Building on existing systems: Advancing early childhood outcomes in Indonesia through collaboration and evidence

J-PAL Southeast Asia organized a research-to-policy showcase bringing together policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners, and private sector to discuss innovations for strengthening the last-mile delivery of early childhood education and development (ECED)...
A woman wearing a green head scarf stands holding a child. In the foreground is a counter with a bag of subsidized rice.

The Evidence Effect: How LMIC governments drive and scale effective poverty reduction policies

Most LMIC governments invest far more in their own social programs—which include health care, education, and social safety nets—than all foreign aid combined. While foreign assistance has been in the spotlight this year, LMIC governments are the ones that make financial commitments, set priorities...
Headshots of Hasto Narendra (left) and Farhan Husain (right).

DEDP learners spotlight: Hasto Narendra and Farhan Husain's path to development

In 2024, J-PAL Southeast Asia (SEA) welcomed two new staff members from the Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) MicroMasters community. Both Hasto and Farhan come from diverse fields outside economics, yet they share a common passion: to pivot their career paths and explore meaningful work...
 A child plays with colorful wooden blocks in a GSED assessment session.

Four lessons from using a growth measurement tool for early childhood development in Indonesia

By
Stunting, defined as having a substantial below-average height for one’s age, indicates a significant risk to a child's physical and developmental potential. To explore practical and effective strategies for addressing stunting in Indonesia, J-PAL Southeast Asia (SEA) collaborated with J-PAL invited...
Group of persons

How to integrate qualitative methods into RCTs

Economists have long used qualitative methods to inform the design and help interpret the results of RCTs. To support the further integration of qualitative methods into randomized evaluations and provide more structured guidance, J-PAL has developed new research resources and training materials for...
Participants at South South Learning Journey event

Building effective social protection programs through government and researcher partnerships: Reflections from a MENA-SEA South-South Learning Journey

In a critical moment for global social protection systems, policymakers from Egypt and Indonesia recently came together in Jakarta for the groundbreaking event, South-South Learning Journey.
 MSMEs products displayed at the Center for Integrated Services for MSMEs in West Java, Indonesia

Can product curation overcome challenges in MSME market expansion? Opportunities for impact evaluation

Insights from a recent Learning Collaborative event hosted by J-PAL Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Directorate of MSME and Cooperative Development of Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) shed light on evidence and insights on the most effective approaches to support MSMEs...