About

The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) develops evidence on how to effectively transform the lives of the poor in low- and middle-income countries. Established in 2008, we offer comprehensive support and a diversity of approaches to achieve development goals by producing, synthesizing and promoting the uptake of impact evaluation evidence. We work closely with governments, foundations, NGOs, development institutions and research organizations to address their decision-making needs. With offices in Washington DC, New Delhi and London and a global network of leading researchers, we offer deep expertise across our extensive menu of evaluation services.

Our approach

We are a one-stop shop for evidence services that can improve the understanding of what works, for whom, why and at what cost to promote sustainable social and economic development. Our holistic approach to designing and conducting impact evaluations and systematic reviews yields a rich set of information for decision-makers. We know from experience that impact evaluations and systematic reviews are most useful when grounded in sound theory and complemented with mixed-methods, including qualitative research, cost-analyses, process evaluations, formative evaluations and other implementation research, which help unpack the causes and implications of effectiveness findings.

We engage decision-makers in governments and other organizations wherever they are on their evidence journeys, and our support spans the programming cycle. Evidence scoping, mapping and synthesis help shape policy goals into concrete programming ideas. Just-in-time evidence products respond to policymakers' needs on the quick timelines they face. Assistance with robust theories of change and evaluability assessments contribute to optimal program design. Capacity strengthening efforts ensure that entire teams have the most up-to-date tools at their disposal. Impact evaluations, process evaluations and evaluation-driven monitoring generate robust findings on effectiveness. And tailored evidence uptake strategies guarantee that our work has real-world impacts. More details on what we offer are here.

Furthermore, our Development Evidence Portal plays a key role in the global evidence architecture. It is the largest portal of its kind, with more than 10,000 high-quality impact evaluations, systematic reviews and evidence gap maps covering evidence from all sectors. This powerful platform allows easy access to the best available evidence on the effects of a broad spectrum of social, economic and health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. It also enhances 3ie’s capability to provide rapid evidence synthesis, as well as contribute to knowledge brokering services for decision-making such as our WACIE Helpdesk.

Want to learn more? Drop us a line at info@3ieimpact.org for a personalized consultation with an Evaluation Specialist

By the numbers

  • 60+ research staff working to support decision-makers.
  • 278 impact evaluations supported in 50+ low -and middle-income countries
  • 10,000+ IEs, SRs and EGMs available on 3ie's Development Evidence Portal.
  • 500+ knowledge products produced, including impact evaluations, systematic reviews, evidence gap maps and other synthesis and qualitative studies.
  • 300+ grants given to research institutions and NGOs over the past decade.
  • 50+ verified cases of real-world impact published in our Evidence Impact Summaries Portal.

Our vision

Improving lives sustainably in low- and middle-income countries through evidence-informed decision-making.

Our mission

3ie promotes evidence-informed equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. We support the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence to inform decision-making and improve the lives of people living in poverty in low- and middle-income countries. We provide guidance and support to produce, synthesise and assure the quality of evidence of what works, for whom, how, why and at what cost.

Our values

  • Respect
    • We respect human rights and treat everyone with dignity and fairness.
    • We follow ethical and safe research practices that take context into account.
    • We respect employees' and clients' time and value clear and responsive communication.
  • Innovation
    • We strive to be creative, adaptive, flexible and solutions-based in our approach to addressing complex development problems.
    • We balance time-tested approaches with innovation.
    • We are a learning organisation.
  • Quality
    • We develop, use and promote relevant and rigorous research methods.
    • We develop capacity in our employees and L&MIC partners to pursue excellence in research and implementation.
  • Inclusion
    • ·We see strength in diversity and value the knowledge that comes from people’s diverse experiences.
    • We believe in and promote gender equity and have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.
    • We believe research is a public good that should be accessible to as many people as possible.
  • Co-creation
    • We believe the best solutions come from co-creation. We seek and strengthen partnerships to address complex development problems.
    • We advocate for transparent and stakeholder-responsive practices in the workplace as well as in the evidence community.
    • We are conscious of power imbalances. We promote participatory and engagement-driven research.

Strategy 2021-2023

3ie Strategy cover pageOur new strategy (2021-2023) responds to the rapid pace of change and the considerable challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges include not only the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic but also the many other factors that will transform the planet in the coming decades, socially, economically and politically.

While we have made some changes to how we work and to our strategic objectives, the vision and mission that underpin our work will remain. We believe that improving lives sustainably in low- and middle-income countries through evidence-informed decision-making will be as relevant and vital as ever in the years ahead. To this end, we will continue to support and promote the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence of what works, for whom, why and at what cost.

We have three overarching objectives: (1) Supporting the generation and use of policy-relevant evaluative evidence; (2) Building strategic partnerships and collaborations to drive evidence-informed development; and, (3) Pushing the frontiers of evidence for sustainable and equitable social progress.

View Interactive Strategy

Download Strategy (English | French | Spanish)

We are grateful to the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for their core support, and several other donors who share our commitment to evidence-informed decision-making that can impact lives (see full list of donors).

3ie brings together those who wish to use impact evaluation findings with those who conduct them. To ensure useful measurement, it mobilises and focuses resources for relevant questions that matter in the real world, and paves the way for more transparent research practices. 3ie also works closely with governments and NGOs to strengthen their systems for prioritising evaluations and using findings.

Ruth Levine
Chair, 3ie Board of Commissioners