Long-Term Impacts Initiative (LTII)

In recent years, researchers are increasingly examining the long-term impact of a wide range of development programs. Some interventions are remarkably impactful over time. In India, for instance, a Graduation program had large and positive effects on income and health even after ten years. While this study provides an important example of a program that has long-run benefits on participants, many more programs have not been evaluated over the long-term.  

Fortunately, the total number of RCTs has grown since the early 2000s, leading to a large body of work for which follow-up may be appropriate. In addition, recent advancements like the growth in government administrative data and the proliferation of cell phones are making long-term follow-up efforts more possible. 

In light of this opportunity, LTII aims to generate a portfolio of policy-relevant follow-up studies to help governments, implementing organizations, and donors better understand what interventions improve people’s incomes and livelihoods over the long term.