Innovations for Poverty Action

What are the up-and-coming innovations with the potential to improve lives at scale? Our sector teams have thoroughly reviewed the evidence and today we’re sharing a new report highlighting 14 promising interventions: “Best Bets: Emerging Opportunities for Impact at Scale”: bit.ly/bestbetsipa #BestBetsIPA #EmergingInnovations

Studies found that patient visits for perinatal services decreased during COVID-19. Research in Kenya suggests that new mothers reported declining trust in the healthcare system during the pandemic. They also avoided perinatal care for themselves and their child, mainly due to challenges in accessing healthcare facilities, financial barriers, fear of contracting COVID-19, and COVID-related restrictions. Learn more about the survey conducted by #IPAKenya with researchers Corrina Moucheraud and May Sudhinaraset (UCLA), Doris Njomo (Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)), Martina Gant (Child.org), and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: https://bit.ly/wpck

Reliable legal information is vital for enabling refugees & asylum seekers to manage their cases, access important public services, & remain safe from human trafficking. In Greece, personalized legal information provided by case workers through one-on-one chats led to an increased ability to identify instances of exploitation & cope with violence. Read more about this impact evaluation funded by IPA’s Human Trafficking Research Initiative with researchers Marine Casalis, Alexandra Hartman, Dominik Hangartner, & Rodrigo Sánchez Sienra in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency & International Rescue Committee: bit.ly/ipa21420

Women farmers account for one-half of the world’s food supply, yet they regularly face barriers that prevent them from improving their economic outcomes, notably lack of information. In #Guatemala, an information campaign about a program that enables farmers to be registered food providers to public schools greatly boosted women farmers’ awareness of the program and their sales. However, there was no impact on participation in the school feeding program, due to structural factors in its design. Read more about this impact evaluation conducted by IPA in collaboration with The World Bank researchers Javier Romero Haaker, Angela Lopez, and Viviana MariaEugenia Perego: bit.ly/dgtagro ⤵

Exciting opportunity for humanitarian organisations and project implementers focused on humanitarian action & displacement response! We are hosting a 4-day randomised evaluation design workshop from 12-15 November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya with Innovations for Poverty Action as part of the Displaced Livelihoods Initiative (DLI) and the Humanitarian Protection Initiative (HPI). This research incubator is tailored for organisations working to promote sustainable livelihoods for displaced persons and host communities or ensure protection in conflict settings. 💻 Sign up for our virtual information session on 24 September at 4:00 pm (GMT+3) to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eW-wXSws 👉 And apply to attend the incubator through our website by 2 October: https://lnkd.in/eRVNDWJZ Refugee-led organisations are encouraged to apply, and funding is available to support those interested in joining the incubator. Join us to learn how randomised evaluations can enhance your programme's impact!

What are the next-generation evidence-based programs for impact at scale in #GlobalDevelopment? IPA’s ‘Best Bets: Emerging Opportunities for Impact at Scale’ highlights 14 of the most promising innovations across 10 sectors, including climate change, crime and violence, women’s economic empowerment, education, and more. Our team conducted a thorough review of hundreds of studies to assess impact and scalability, evaluating the quality of evidence, costs, and other key factors. Discover these #EmergingInnovations that are poised to transform the development landscape and improve lives: bit.ly/bestbetsipa ⤵️

#PeaceCon2024, co-hosted by Alliance for Peacebuilding and United States Institute of Peace, is just around the corner! This three-day conference will explore evolving approaches to peacebuilding and conflict prevention in a changing world. Don’t miss out on two insightful panels on social cohesion featuring IPA’s Ricardo Morel and Nessa Kenny and speakers from Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Pact, and The World Bank ⤵️ 💡Virtual Panel: Tuesday (9/10), 2:30-3:45 pm ET |“Building Cohesive Societies: Comparing and Contrasting Social Cohesion Tools and Strategies Across Contexts” on. 💡In-Person Panel: Thursday (9/12) 11:30 am-12:45 pm ET | “Evidence on Social Cohesion in Divided Societies: Challenging Conventional Wisdom and Identifying Gaps”. Register by Sept. 9 to attend: bit.ly/peacecon24

Schools in #refugee settings often are overcrowded and have limited resources, contributing to elevated levels of teacher stress & likelihood of violence. Can training on social emotional skills development and positive discipline and classroom strategies help? In Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in #Tanzania, a violence prevention program for teachers, revealed that they were slightly more likely to use positive discipline & self-regulation techniques, and to develop negative attitudes towards physical violence Read more about this impact evaluation conducted by IPA Tanzania in collaboration with International Rescue Committee: bit.ly/vactz #IPATanzania #MoreEvidenceLessPoverty #ViolencePrevention

Low savings levels are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries. In #Chile, only 31% of the population aged 15 years or older and 27% of the poorest 40 percent had saved in a financial institution. Research in Chile suggests that delivering subsidies via bank transfers enhanced access to bank accounts by 12 percentage points but did not increase #savings on average. However, participants with no previous positive account balances experienced an increase in savings. Learn more about this impact evaluation funded by IPA and the Inter-American Development Bank and conducted in collaboration with the Ministerio de Desarrollo Social de Chile, BancoEstado and researchers Abhijit Banerjee, Claudia Martinez A., and Esteban Puentes: bit.ly/cuentachl ⤵

Join IPA as a Project Manager for the Tanzania Affordable Digital Finance Research Initiative! We're seeking a leader with deep knowledge of #DigitalFinancialServices, strong relationships with policymakers and the private sector, and a passion for data-driven, evidence-based decision-making. This role offers the chance to lead impactful research projects, collaborate with key stakeholders, and contribute to effective solutions that can drive #FinancialInclusion in #Tanzania. Learn more and apply today: bit.ly/pmtadfri #IPATanzania #MoreEvidenceLessPoverty #Finclusion