This review was undertaken as part of a joint initiative, the Conservation Solutions Lab, between Arizona State University and Chemonics, and seeks to build knowledge and evidence-based approaches for more effective community engagement in conservation. The analysis revealed that the current evidence base is lacking the robust data needed to uncover the links between governance…
For the past decade, Mexico has faced a serious human rights crisis. More than 35,000 people have gone missing since 2006, their whereabouts still unknown. The National Commission of Human Rights has documented several alarming, unlawful killings of civilians by Mexican security forces without any authorities being charged. And torture continues to be a common…
Manisha Aryal is a development practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in designing and implementing ICT-enabled programs globally. In her current role as the Global Practice Lead for Digital Development, she spearheads the company’s digital development strategy, providing thought leadership and hands-on support to projects and programs that innovate with technology solutions. Manisha also…
It’s easy enough to talk about using the Principles for Digital Development (PDD). This set of best practices for technology usage, developed by donors, implementers, and stakeholders around the world, has been increasingly embraced the past few years and with good reason: they provide straightforward, intuitive guidance on how to choose and use appropriate technology…
From the Peruvian Amazon to the vineyards of Moldova, digital technology has the power to stimulate economic growth, protect public health, promote stability, and lift millions out of poverty. The development sector has increasingly embraced this potential. The Digital Development Awards, presented by USAID, recognize agency projects and activities that model innovative application of digital…
The Ghanaian Ministry of Health’s five-year Supply Chain Master Plan calls for strong supply chain systems that enable effective management of health commodities. The Global Fund’s Ghana LMIS/RLO/LMD Support program partners with the ministry to achieve this vision across the country. The program focuses on logistics management information systems (LMIS), last-mile distribution (LMD), warehousing and…
What do forest and species loss have to do with politics? A great deal, in fact. Conserving and protecting natural resources involves a complex set of power dynamics, interests, and economies — licit and illicit — that affect how a program can operate within an existing local system. Biodiversity programming must embrace a Thinking and…
Eugénie Lund-Simon is a former senior specialist at Chemonics.
With nearly 150,000 hectares of vineyards, the small nation of Moldova has one of the largest densities of vineyards in the world. Here, the wine industry is a cultural touchstone with a history stretching back thousands of years. It forms the backbone of the rural economy, providing income for more than 250,000 people and more…
This post originally appeared on ICTworks. When working in international markets, there is one golden rule to ensure sustainability: make sure your interventions do not distort markets. In small markets, such as Georgia, a country with less than 4 million people, 50 percent of which are self-employed in the agriculture industry, this is especially important. Laying…
Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) is all the buzz these days, with political economy analysis (PEA) being included in tenders, and project designs across sectors. But what does TWP-PEA look like beyond design, as an integral part of implementation? During program design and even start-up, PEAs can provide recommendations while acknowledging context complexities, actors and…
What are the barriers to usage of digital financial services? What are the most effective ways to drive uptake? Modern financial solutions, spurred by internet and mobile access, present an important opportunity to make transactions more efficient. These digital innovations can save time and transportation costs for bank and client alike while building credit history…