Our mission is to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. We do this through research, policy outreach, and training.

Workers transfer goods from trucks
Policy Insight

Market access: Connecting firms and entrepreneurs to markets to spur business and job growth

Improved access to markets has often helped small firms in low- and middle-income countries grow by boosting firm revenues and profits. These interventions have been effective because they have led to new sales, helped firms connect with new types of buyers, and increased information sharing and...

Farmers working in a field
Policy Insight

Building farmers' resilience to climate change

In the face of weather shocks, improved agricultural technologies and techniques, financial services, and social assistance programs can improve the resilience of small-scale farmers. These tools can help farmers prevent crop losses, avoid consumption cuts or sales of productive assets, or even...

Workers construct a road while a car drives past on the right side
Policy Insight

Public works programs and labor market outcomes

Public works programs in low- and middle-income countries provide short-term employment and earnings boosts to participants. These programs usually do not lead to lasting labor market benefits when measured several years after implementation, though they often generate lasting effects on asset...

Two female students collect clean water from a tube well in a jug in Bangladesh.
Policy Insight

Pairing insights from engineering, public health, and behavioral science to improve access to and use of clean water

Low-cost, simple interventions like dilute chlorine solution or water filtration can reduce households’ use of unsafe or contaminated water—a key source of morbidity and mortality, especially among children. Full subsidies can expand access to and usage of water treatment options among households...