Random Update

Embedded Evidence Lab with the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare

Photo: Early childhood development worker playing with children in Bogota, Colombia. © Lina Junguito, 2023

Staff: Oscar Pineda and Mateo Valderrama

The Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) and IPA Colombia have partnered to establish the ICBF Evidence Lab to enhance childhood development services through evidence-based policymaking and iterative learning. The Lab has helped integrate evidence into the design and evaluation of impactful, scalable programs that address emotional well-being and violence prevention, and strengthen community support for expectant parents and migrant families. The Lab is also catalyzing a cultural transformation within ICBF, embedding evidence use, learning, and innovation to strengthen policymaking and program delivery to promote children's development. Read the project summary to learn more about the program that informed this Lab.

Accessing Finance to Improve Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods

Authors: Claudia Casarotto, Michael Podesta, and Jeremy Magruder

In this recently published investment brief, IPA and FAO examine and synthesize evidence on access to finance for smallholder farmers and enterprises. Topics covered include the design of different credit, risk coverage, and savings products; the impacts on investments and productivity; and the constraints people face in accessing finance. The brief also provides key insights and policy takeaways to inform future research and policy work to boost on-farm investment and productivity.

Building Social Cohesion: Stories of Hope from Refugee Integration Projects in Turkey and Uganda

Author: Abdallatieph Sabbagh

A guest blog post from a former intern for IPA’s Peace & Recovery sector program draws on evidence from Turkey and Uganda to make the case for a holistic approach to social cohesion between refugees and host communities.

The Realities of Using Digital Financial Services in Nigeria

Author: Brian Mwesigwa

This blog from IPA’s Consumer Protection Research Initiative covers the 2024 Nigeria Consumer Protection Survey, featured in a comprehensive report. The 2024 survey, a follow-up to the 2020 Nigeria Consumer Protection Survey, took a deep dive into how Nigerians are using digital financial services, the challenges they face, and how they seek redress.

When to Measure What: A Strategic Guide to Impact Measurement — Part I & II

Authors: Loïc Watine and Lucy Rimmington

In this article for the Stanford Social Innovation Review, IPA's Right Fit Evidence Unit writes on the need for funders to learn in stages when evaluating and scaling programs, pointing to their recently developed guide. 

IPA Launches New Climate and Environment Sector Program

Staff: Gonzalo Pons

IPA has launched the Climate & Environment sector program to advance a strategic research and policy agenda focused on solutions that improve people's welfare while adapting to climate change, reducing emissions, and protecting our environment. Learn more on the program's webpage and stay tuned for developments.