This report is a retrospective analysis of the implementation of political economy analyses (PEAs) solicited by USAID to assess whether PEAs are an effective tool to increase the impact of development programs. PEAs are commonly used within thinking and working politically (TWP) approaches, which seek to significantly improve development impact by understanding and responding to…
Thinking and working politically (TWP) entails carefully considering the operating context and how project interventions might affect it, then adapting the interventions to best advance common objectives within the local system. This report responds to the question of what explains practitioners’ particular interest in TWP as an explicit strategy and more than just “doing good…
This Symposium presented experience and research from the past five years of Chemonics’ programming and others’ experiences using political economy analysis and savvy, adaptive approaches to improve development effectiveness and sustainability. Speakers explored future uses of Thinking and Working Politically (TWP), including integration with behavior science and supporting locally-led development. The Symposium took place in-person…
Tomas Bridle has more than 20 years of experience designing and implementing democracy and governance projects world-wide. Tomas is joining the DG Practice from USAID where he served as the Senior Advisor at the Center of Excellence for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG). Here he provided support to USAID missions on program design, country cooperation…
This case study is one in a series highlighting Chemonics’ experiences and lessons learned with thinking and working politically and applied political economy analysis (APEA). Drawing on the Chemonics-implemented USAID/Guatemala Biodiversity Project, this case study highlights the process, findings, and tools of the project’s baseline APEA (and second APEA iteration) and how these APEAs oriented…
Bryce Watson is the specialist for Chemonics’ Center for Politically Informed Programming. Bryce has experience delivering technical assistance on thinking and working politically (TWP) to over 20 projects across the globe, and in developing innovative approaches to programming such as Systems Prototyping. He also has experience building the capacity of staff to effectively implement these…
Jennifer Swift-Morgan is an education and governance specialist with more than 20 years’ experience designing, managing, and evaluating innovative programming in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her expertise includes education systems strengthening for learning, assets-based political economy analysis to inform public service reform, and applied research. Jennifer served as technical director of USAID’s…