3ie’s Development Evidence Portal: Value for money in a time of resource uncertainty

Evidence can help us achieve more with less

‘The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 makes for sobering reading. It finds that only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are on track, nearly half are showing minimal or moderate progress, and progress on over one third has stalled or even regressed.’ 

Data for decisions: How ADN Dignidad in Colombia used impact evaluations to strengthen its impact

In humanitarian contexts, the difference between assumptions and evidence can determine whether aid programs for the world’s most vulnerable people meet their needs or miss the mark. The ADN Dignidad program , implemented in Colombia by the Cash for Urban Assistance (CUA) consortium, is a compelling example of how to move from good intentions to informed action. Since 2019, the program has reached more than 381,000 people—including vulnerable Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities—with multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), delivering six monthly transfers averaging $77 USD per household. The question was: Were these transfers effective in helping recipients?

More than numbers: Strengthening RCT and cost reporting for policy and practice

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are a powerful tool for understanding what works in development and anti-poverty programs. They provide insights to guide practitioners and policymakers in improving and scaling interventions. But for RCT findings to inform these decisions, they must be communicated clearly and systematically—something that’s easier said than done. Good reporting isn’t just about sharing final findings; researchers should share their process to make results actionable.

Mutual health insurance and the digitization of healthcare services in developing countries: Experience of the ISPV- Africa project in Togo

Universal health coverage remains a global concern, particularly in developing countries where health systems have many weaknesses.

Enhancing rural livelihoods in India: evidence-based policy evolution and innovation

One of India’s largest livelihoods programs—which 3ie is evaluating—and its transformation over time offer insights into how policies interact with and adapt to the changing ground realities and the vital role played by effectiveness evidence. This blog explains how the traditional approach has evolved to focus on new evidence-informed ways to address constraints and enable an environment for income generation and empowerment.

New 3ie handbook for measuring cost-effectiveness in impact evaluation

Leaders and practitioners across the international development space have emphasized, re-emphasized, and re-re-emphasized the importance of integrating rigorous costing in

How should evaluators respond to a changing global landscape? Ideas from the World Bank IEG's expert panel

To respond to a rapidly-changing global context, the evaluation community needs to adapt its methods and approaches, according to an expert panel assembled by the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group (IEG).

Déterminer ce qui fonctionne pour améliorer la nutrition maternelle : début d'une nouvelle évaluation au Bénin

3ie, en partenariat avec le gouvernement du Bénin, lance l’évaluation d'impact d'une initiative révolutionnaire : un programme de nutrition pratique et évolutif pour améliorer les résultats en matière de santé maternelle et infantile.

Determining what works to improve maternal nutrition: Beginning a new evaluation in Benin

3ie, in partnership with the Government of Benin, is launching an impact evaluation of a groundbreaking initiative: a practical, scalable nutrition program to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Unveiling trends in impact evaluations across Sub-Saharan Africa

With 4262 studies, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for the largest number of impact evaluations in the Development Evidence Portal (DEP). The second blog in our 'state of the evidence' series that previously featured Latin America and the Caribbean unpacks the evidence coming from this part of the African continent. The DEP – which remains a global public good – allows us to analyze which countries, interventions and outcomes are the most researched, by whom and in what way.