Oxford Policy Management

Why does access to electricity doesn't always lead to social and economic impacts in Africa? Despite the well-established link between electricity access and economic growth, providing electricity alone does not guarantee significant social and economic improvements in Africa. In an article in the magazine Afrive I use research findings to explore the nuanced factors influencing the impact of electrification. Please see here for further details: https://lnkd.in/eG4dsarb

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮? 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀! We recently completed a comprehensive gender scoping study in India in collaboration with USAID. This study explored women’s economic empowerment and gender equality, focusing on access to resources, power dynamics, and the enabling environment. But what did we discover? Our research, unveiled at USAID's first-ever 'Gender Equity Evidence Conclave' in India, revealed: ➡️Strengthening women's access to digital financial services is key for equitable access to benefits. ➡️Effective women's empowerment programs must address care work and gender-based violence alongside economic challenges. ➡️Micro-credit programs have had some success in business creation but haven't significantly increased profits or empowerment indicators. ➡️Many programs focus on inputs and outputs, not outcomes, missing gender differences in benefits. We are encouraged by the commitment of stakeholders like USAID and the Government of India to use research and data to inform policy reforms and future programming. Check out the linked article for more details on the event and our study. https://bit.ly/3zHMj3v What do you think are the most pressing issues in achieving gender equality in India? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Evidence without action fails our youth. It's time to bridge the gap.  This #YouthSkillsDay, we’re reflecting on how to transform evidence into impact for youth. We conducted a series of engagements on youth skills development in East Africa over the last couple of weeks. Sharing some insights from Tanzania. The in-country team, joined by Dr Divya Nambiar, Phalasha Nagpal, and Jeffrey Ben Matu from the Skills, Livelihoods, and Education Systems Hub in our Education Practice, hosted a networking and learning session on 27th June 2024. We shared insights from India's Skill Impact Bond programme and explored how these lessons could tackle skills and employability challenges in Tanzania. The discussions were enriched by experts in the skills and livelihoods sector, multilateral and bilateral organisations, NGOs, youth groups, and civil society organisations, building on our team’s rich experience in results-based financing projects. The result was a stimulating discussion, which left us inspired!    We dug into some crucial questions: ➡️How can we channel funds to boost inclusive skills, livelihoods, and education outcomes? Could results-based financing drive long-term employment, include vulnerable groups like women, and foster a culture of evidence-based learning? ➡️What's the best way to bridge the skills gap in Tanzania? We explored what skills are needed and for whom. Could nationwide apprenticeship programs for graduates be the answer? ➡️How can education, skills, and employment programmes in Tanzania be made more inclusive and context-relevant? We brainstormed ways to encourage women in non-traditional roles (especially in manufacturing), boost teacher retention, and expand opportunities for rural youth.    We learned that collectively finding answers to these questions is an important first step to driving better outcomes for youth in East Africa. We are grateful to all the stakeholders who attended the event in person and shared their insights and experience with us. The feedback was incredible! It's inspired us to keep the 'Transforming Evidence into Impact' learning series going. A big thank you to everyone. Watch this space to learn more about our interactions from Kenya and Ethiopia.    For more information on our work on skills, livelihoods and education please visit https://opm.global/3WbloEO Charles Sokile, Christopher Tomlinson, Sourovi De, Sadashiv Nayanpally, Pamela Shao, Asia Makoleo, Deo Medardi, Kaley Milao.

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀? We’re excited about the potential of AI to amplify our impact in development. Our team is currently exploring various related topics, such as the use of AI in evaluations, the use of AI in healthcare, and the combination of new sources of data and AI in the context of poverty measurement. (Links to our work can be found in the comments) But we’re not just focused on our own projects. Our Data Innovation Lead, Paul Jasper has been diving into the broader implications of AI in sustainable development. In this article for SDG Action, he explores the transformative role AI could play in accelerating progress towards the SDGs. Key discussion points include: ·      AI's impact on disaster prediction and climate modelling ·      AI applications in healthcare diagnostics ·      Personalised learning experiences powered by AI in education ·      AI-driven transformation of poverty mapping and reduction efforts ·      AI's ability to unveil crucial connections between a variety of different development issues. While the possibilities are exciting, we must navigate challenges when implementing this emerging technology, including data biases, energy consumption, and ethical considerations. We’d love to hear your views on this critical topic. Read the full article and share your insights on AI's role in sustainable development in the comments below: https://bit.ly/4bUcIbL

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀? Our Data & Evidence to End Extreme Poverty (povertyevidence) researchers, Vidya Diwakar and Ida Brzezinska take an in-depth look.  Bangladesh has achieved strong poverty reduction since the turn of the century, with the share of people living in extreme poverty falling from 33.3% in 2000 to 13.5% in 2016, based on the international poverty line of US$ 2.15 a day.  However, an estimated 𝟭.𝟲 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 people experienced poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Key factors for extreme poverty experienced by people in Bangladesh over the last two decades included ill health and death of earning household members, food price increases, high indebtedness, land disputes, limited education or job opportunities, climate-related disasters, and, more recently, economic disruptions emerging during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This paper examines three crises – namely 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 (droughts and floods), 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱-𝟭𝟵 and related economic shocks and stressors, and 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – to assess their relationship with household poverty dynamics in rural Bangladesh. Read the full paper here: https://bit.ly/3zJS3ta 

𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿. Our Data Innovation team has developed a guide that could transform how we measure and understand poverty using research by the University of Southampton and in partnership with povertyevidence. By combining small area estimation techniques with big geospatial data rather than census data, we are exploring ways to generate regular, granular poverty estimates at significantly lower cost. This method provides estimates more frequently since there is no need to wait for decennial censuses and it offers valuable insights for previously unmapped or under-surveyed areas. This innovative approach addresses key challenges in poverty estimation: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: More regular updates to inform timely policy decisions; 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Detailed estimates down to district or even village level; 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Covering areas often missed by traditional surveys. Our latest blog post details the limitations of current poverty estimation methods, explains the mechanics of our small area estimation approach, and presents a case study illustrating the new method in Bangladesh. For those interested in the technical aspects and potential applications, please read the full article: https://opm.global/3WcC7ZC

We’re really looking forward to sharing ideas and insights at our upcoming networking and learning session in Nairobi! Jeffrey Ben Matu Phalasha Nagpal Dr Divya Nambiar

📢𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁! 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵. This event will bring together funders, development professionals, and key decision-makers from the education sector to share insights and promote discussions on improving outcomes for Kenya's youth. With youth unemployment being a significant challenge in the country, this seminar presents an opportunity to explore workable solutions based on evidence from our work on the world's largest Development Impact Bond in the skills sector. Spaces are limited, so register your interest today! 📆: June 25, 2024 ⏰: 10:00 – 12:00 EAT 📍: Nairobi, Kenya (in-person only) 🔗: https://bit.ly/3XeQSvN

“𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲” This was just one of the key discussion points at our AI and social protection event in Berlin last week.   Karin Seyfert, Paul Jasper and Mareike Sirman-Winkler shared their latest insights and chaired a lively discussion on the potential uses, risks and benefits of using AI in social service delivery programmes.   The panel explored AI use in Germany and international development programmes around the globe, including real-life case studies: ➡️An emergency cash transfer programme in Togo utilised household surveys and mobile phone data to determine poverty patterns ➡️Malnutrition mapping in Papua, Indonesia - combined survey data with geospatial ‘sandwich’ layers to produce data which had previously been too costly or difficult to produce. Want to learn more about the benefits of AI to social protection programmes? Reach out to our Data Innovation team here: https://opm.global/4aUhDc2 Want to join our lightning talks and networking events in Berlin? Contact Karin.Seyfert@opml.co.uk

...and here are some key takeaways from the discussions on mountains and climate change at the UN Bonn Climate Conference.