J-PAL joins leading institutions to launch Smart Buys Alliance for evidence-based development

Despite an ever-growing evidence base, the adoption of “Smart Buys”—development interventions that have demonstrated exceptional cost-effectiveness and impact through rigorous evaluation—holds significant untapped potential. As development budgets face growing scrutiny, there is increasing pressure to break down silos and collaborate to advance the adoption of programs we already know work well.

Along with Coopération Globale, the Center for Effective Global Action, the Center for Global Development, the Global Poverty Research Lab, Innovations for Poverty Action, and J-PAL are proud to co-host the Smart Buys Alliance—a consortium of leading research institutions, evidence-minded funders, and savvy implementing partners working together to identify, prioritize, and promote the cost-effective solutions to persistent development challenges. The Alliance is currently piloting a collaborative approach to prioritizing and developing Smart Buys lists using rigorous, fit-for-purpose evidence aggregation methods and tools. Through consultancies, academic members of the consortium work closely with bilateral donors to successfully implement the resulting policy recommendations.

By joining forces, we can increase our collective influence and impact—shifting more bilateral aid and philanthropic funding toward the effective and cost-effective development programs. J-PAL is excited to leverage the expertise of our partners to draw greater attention to Smart Buys while creating a more efficient platform for delivering them to donors and policymakers. Furthermore, by increasing open access to harmonized impact and cost data, we can catalyze further analysis, evidence syntheses, and cost-effectiveness work within and outside of our consortium—ultimately helping more decision-makers invest in the cost-effective approaches.

Learn more about J-PAL's work on cost-effectiveness and welfare analysis.