Systematic review

These briefs summarise the focus of a review; main findings; and implications for policy, programming and further research.

Latest systematic review briefs

Systematic review

Fiscal policies for healthy diets: Can taxes and subsidies change what you buy?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2022 While several countries have implemented tax and subsidy policies to support healthy diets, systematic evidence of their impacts is limited, especially in low-and middle-income countries. The authors of this brief summarize the findings of a systematic review on the effects of fiscal policies on diet quality and health.

What works to strengthen women’s empowerment and gender equality in fragile and conflict-affected situations?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2021 This systematic review brief summarizes the findings of the synthesis of evidence on gender-specific or gender-transformative interventions in fragile and conflict-affected states. The finding are expected to inform policy and practice decisions within the field of transition aid, particularly, as it relates to gender focused programming.

Do aquaculture interventions improve productivity, income, nutrition and women’s empowerment in low- and middle-income countries?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2021 This brief is based on a review that synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of interventions supporting farming of aquatic organisms and aiming to improve productivity, income, nutrition and women's empowerment in low-and middle-income countries.

Effects of access to electricity interventions on socio-economic outcomes in low- and middle-income countries

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2020 This brief presents the findings of a systematic review on the effectiveness of electricity interventions on socio-economic outcomes for households, firms and communities in low- and middle- income countries.

In fragile situations, which interventions strengthen intergroup social cohesion?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2020 This brief summarises the findings and implications of a systematic review that analyses the strategies effective at building intergroup social cohesion in fragile contexts to promote sustainable peace. 

Impacts of financial inclusion in low- and middle-income countries

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2019 This brief presents the findings of a systematic review of reviews that synthesised 11 systematic reviews or meta analyses on the effects of financial inclusion interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

Does promoting citizen engagement in the governance of public services lead to improved service delivery and quality of life?

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2019 This brief presents the findings of a systematic review examining the effects of citizen engagement interventions that aim to strengthen the participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability characteristics of public services on citizens’ social and economic well-being, and to explore how such effects are influenced by population group, context and implementation factors.

Payment for environmental services

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2019 This brief is based on a systematic review by Snilsveit and colleagues which examines the evidence on the effects of payment for services programmes on socio-economic and environmental outcomes.

Using a life-cycle approach to target WASH policies and programmes in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2018 The brief summarises a systematic review on the effectiveness of two approaches to targeting populations in programmes and policies to reduce barriers to accessing WASH services and strategies during the MDGs.

Creating active labour markets: how to improve employment outcomes for young women and men

Systematic review Brief 3ie 2017 This brief is based on a systematic review which examines the effects of active labour market programmes for youth, including training and skills development, entrepreneurship promotion, employment services and subsidised employment.