3ie News September 2025

Spotlight

Why asking difficult questions—and being ready to be wrong—matters more than ever

In global development, some ideas become so widely accepted that they go unquestioned—until evidence tells a different story. In this reflective piece, 3ie’s Executive Director Marie Gaarder reflects on how well-intentioned assumptions can be contradicted by hard data, reshaping how we understand what works (and what doesn’t). The blog highlights why humility and openness to adaptation are essential in evidence-informed policymaking. It’s a reminder that learning from what challenges us is critical. Read it to explore why asking difficult questions—and being ready to be wrong—matters more than ever.

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Feature
Learning on the go: Building and testing our Gen AI-based evidence assistant

As artificial intelligence transforms how we access knowledge, our Data Innovation Group shares insights from our journey in developing 'DevChat’—a GenAI-powered assistant built on 3ie’s Development Evidence Portal. In this blog, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re using AI to make evidence faster, smarter, and more useful for policymakers worldwide. From balancing accuracy and speed to preventing “hallucinations” and earning user trust, read what it takes to ensure technology strengthens—not replaces—human judgment. It’s an exciting glimpse into how AI can make evidence use more agile, relevant, and actionable for real-world decision-making. You can also let us know if you are interested in joining our beta testing.

Read the blog to know more

Feature
Beyond names and numbers – de-identification of data

In an era of increasing data sensitivity, ethical research demands more than simply removing names. 3ie’s latest blog unpacks how researchers can balance privacy and analytical value through techniques such as masking, aggregation, and managing indirect identifiers. It highlights why robust data protection is essential for credible, ethical evidence—especially when working with vulnerable populations
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Feature
Why long-term follow-up evaluations are important

Development programmes often show promising short-term results—but what happens years later? 3ie’s new blog explores how long-term follow-up evaluations reveal whether early gains persist, fade, or evolve over time. It shows how sustained tracking strengthens accountability, learning, and better policy design

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Partnership | Strengthening evidence use in education

3ie has joined a global coalition working to improve how evidence is synthesized and used in education. Together, partners are designing a synthesis-ready repository that will make high-quality, context-relevant research more accessible to decision-makers. This collaboration aims to ensure that education investments deliver stronger, evidence-based outcomes; especially for children in resource-constrained settings.

Read the full statement signed by all the co-signatories

Initiative | 3ie joins global AI initiative to strengthen evidence use

3ie is contributing to the METIUS consortium, an ambitious AI-driven initiative led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). METIUS combines artificial intelligence with expert human judgment to transform how scientific evidence is synthesized and applied in policymaking. 3ie’s role ensures that AI innovations strengthen, rather than replace rigorous and contextually grounded evidence use across development sectors.

Learn more

Call for papers | Special Issue on “Rigorously measuring the effects of peacebuilding approaches

The Journal of Development Effectiveness invites submissions for a Special Issue on “Rigorously measuring the effects of peacebuilding approaches.”
This issue seeks innovative research on what works in peacebuilding, how, and under what conditions. Studies exploring under-researched phases of the conflict cycle or using novel evaluation methods are especially welcome.

Read full scope and submission guidance

Events

Upcoming events

Evidence Dialogues | Making markets work: Evidence for smallholder impact | 30 October 2025

3ie will host an Evidence Dialogues webinar titled ‘Making Markets Work: Evidence for Smallholder Impact’, spotlighting the most comprehensive systematic review ever conducted by 3ie on market access interventions—covering 289 studies. With nearly 80% of the world’s extreme poor living in rural areas, improving smallholder farmers’ access to equitable and efficient markets is key to boosting productivity, income, and food security.

Time: 10:00 AM EST / 3:00 PM CEST

This event will feature:

A presentation of key findings from the review, led by Shannon Shisler, Lead Evaluation Specialist at 3ie
A high-level panel discussion with experts, including David J. Spielman (IFPRI), Antonio Scognamillo (FAO), and Hope Michelson (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Moderation by Birte Snilstveit, Director of Synthesis and Reviews at 3ie

Join the conversation to explore how evidence can shape smarter policies, better program design, and stronger outcomes for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries.

Read more | Register here

Global Evidence Commitment – Second Annual Convening | 11-12 November 2025 | Oslo

Hosted by Norad, the second Global Evidence Commitment convening will bring together leading development institutions advancing evidence-informed decision-making. Building on last year’s momentum, participants will share lessons, explore new approaches such as the TRIPS framework, and shape the next phase of the Commitment—strengthening systems, investments, and cultures of learning.
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Past events

Empowering rural communities through evidence, 9 September 2025 | New Delhi, India

For over a decade, 3ie’s collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Gates Foundation has generated rigorous evidence on one of India’s largest poverty alleviation initiatives—the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). This work has informed programme design, strengthened implementation, and deepened understanding of how social mobilization and livelihoods interventions can transform rural communities.

At the national learning event “Empowering Rural Communities through Evidence” in New Delhi, policymakers, researchers, and self-help group members reflected on the role of evidence in shaping inclusive rural development. Discussions focused on the next phase of collaboration with MoRD—reaffirming how sustained learning partnerships drive women’s empowerment and stronger livelihoods.

Watch this video for a glimpse of the transformation in the lives of rural women in India

Evidence 2025: The Global Evidence Conference | 30 September–2 October 2025 | Cotonou, Benin

Hosted by the Africa Centre for Evidence, the Global Evidence Conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to advance the use of evidence for equitable and sustainable development. 3ie contributed to several sessions highlighting innovations in evidence synthesis, partnerships for policy uptake, and strategies to strengthen national evidence systems. Read more

2025 CGIAR Gender Conference | Gender in Food, Land, and Water Systems | 7–9 October 2025 | Cape Town

At the 2025 CGIAR Gender Conference, 3ie joined global experts and partners to discuss how evidence can drive gender-transformative change across food, land, and water systems. The sessions highlighted what works for women’s empowerment, the role of evidence in shaping policies, and new partnerships for inclusive, sustainable development. Read more

Featured
Senior Research Fellow

3ie’s Senior Research Fellows Program includes experts from various sectors – including development, evaluation, policy as well as academia. This month, we feature Sean Grant, who has nearly a decade of experience in evidence synthesis, research transparency, and intervention science. Dr Grant's work aims to advance the credibility of intervention research and its utility for supporting evidence-based policy and practice. He is interested in intervention research across the behavioral, social, and health sciences. Read more

Since 2020, 3ie's Fellowship Program has contributed to achieving our mission by tapping into diverse expertise and experience across the world.

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