Blog

Generating rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of programs designed to reduce poverty is not just the work of lower and middle-income countries. Countries across Europe and North America are also grappling with how to best tackle deep-rooted and pressing social challenges. These include...

The people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance are among those hardest hit by cuts to foreign aid. With humanitarian funding at historic lows, many essential services are being scaled back or suspended altogether, leading to preventable deaths and putting millions more lives at risk. Restoring...

The private sector is a fundamental force for driving global prosperity. For corporations and investors, there’s enormous opportunity in low- and middle-income countries’ growing markets and talent. What’s less clear is how to partner most effectively for maximum impact: How can multinationals...

Governments and local communities are leading the charge on delivering services at scale. When focused on the right things, donor capital—both bilateral and philanthropic—doesn’t have to and generally shouldn’t replace government funding. It should play a catalytic role to spark innovation, spread...

The work of government is challenging in high- and low-income countries alike. Today, new problems compound to make the work of government even harder: Governments must tackle poverty and address climate change while many are in the midst of debt and fiscal crises that were compounded by Covid.

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...

Policymakers are facing a steep challenge: They need to address urgent development priorities with shrinking resources.

With fewer resources available, the bar is even higher for deciding which social sector and development programs to invest in. Evidence can help governments, funders, and implementing organizations navigate today’s challenges and make more effective and cost-effective decisions.