Thematic Window 2 (TW2), HIV self-testing
We have launched TW2, HIV self-testing in Uganda and the same window for HIV self-testing in Zambia. We are inviting proposals for pilot interventions to promote HIV self-testing in each of these countries and impact evaluations of these interventions. Deadline for applications: 23:59 GMT, 29 September.Read more

Replication programme
We are preparing to launch the fourth replication window and are accepting suggestions for replication-eligible studies for our candidates studies list. Send your suggestions of innovative, influential or controversial impact evaluations of developing country interventions to replication@3ieimpact.org

Using data to promote agricultural productivity in Kenya
Few farmers conduct soil tests to determine the impact of locally appropriate agricultural inputs and practices. A research team from Innovations for Poverty Action is collaborating with the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) to assess the impact of information related to good agricultural practices and inputs on uptake of locally appropriate integrated soil fertility management technologies to increase farmers’ productivity. A recent baseline report from the study showed that less than ten per cent of the farmers had used agricultural lime, a key input to correct the high levels of acidity in the soil in the region. Since the baseline report, KALRO has incorporated information on the appropriate use of lime during farmer field days (where useful information is disseminated among farmers). Over the past few months, KALRO has held 17 field days across western Kenya. Each of these field days is open to any farmer in the region. About 50-200 farmers attend these field days depending on where it is being held. Read more

Colloquium on evaluation of public policies, Benin 3ie participated in the regional colloquium on evaluation of public policies in Francophone countries on 8 and 9 July in Benin. More than 200 representatives from Francophone and other African countries participated in the event. Lionel Zinsou, the prime minister of Benin, acknowledged 3ie’s role in developing the West African regional impact evaluation programme.

Mexico Evaluation Week 3ie participated in the first Mexico Evaluation Week held 15-19 June in Mexico City organised by a 3ie member, CONEVAL, along with AMEXID and CIDE-CLEAR.

Mario Picon, senior evaluation specialist at 3ie, participated in a discussion on a national TV policy talk show, ESPIRAL on Mexico’s Canal 11 Nature, The Lancet, Foreign Affairs. The discussion was on the importance of evaluation for public policies.

Annette N Brown, 3ie deputy director and head of 3ie Washington office, was cited in Can randomized trials eliminate global poverty? and Millennium Villages Project launches retrospective analysis in Nature.

Emmanuel Jimenez, 3ie executive director, was cited in The World Bank under Jim Kim in The Lancet.

Richard Manning, chair, 3ie board of commissioners; Emmanuel Jimenez; Jyotsna Puri, 3ie deputy executive director and head of evaluation and Annette N Brown were featured in Evaluation Matters published by the African Development Bank.

David Miliband and Ravi Gurumurthy’s article in Foreign Affairs, Improving humanitarian aid: how to make relief more efficient and effective, mentions the 3ie impact evaluation repository as an important source for evidence on impact of development interventions.

Kristen Stelljes and Ruth Levine’s blog, Impact evaluation for better development outcomes: our new directions, discusses Hewlett Foundation’s approach to funding impact evaluations. The blog also mentions that 3ie, a grantee of the Hewlett Foundation, has played an important role in making rigorous evidence available and promoting standards for impact evaluation quality and transparency.

Check out our latest blogs: Using evidence to rebuild lives. Visit the blog site to view all of our posts.