WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results for Development (R4D), a leading non-profit global development partner, is announcing the launch of its newest practice area: Evidence for Decision-Making. The practice centers country leaders and other change agents to improve how evidence is produced, translated and used to drive positive change in the health, education and nutrition sectors, while also raising awareness of the value of using evidence routinely in decision-making.
The Evidence for Decision-Making practice will be led by Abeba Taddese who rejoined R4D in 2020 to steer the Partnership for Evidence and Equity in Rapid and Responsive Systems (PEERSS) project — a learning community of fifteen organizations across thirteen countries focused on accelerating progress in evidence-informed policymaking at the country and regional levels. The PEERSS project ended in July, but a follow-on program focused on the use of evidence in decision-making across the African continent will launch soon. The Evidence for Decision-Making practice also supports the Transforming Evidence Funders Network, a learning community for global development funders taking collective action to strengthen evidence use in low- and middle-income countries.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Evidence for Decision-Making Practice Area as an integral part of Results for Development’s global work,” said R4D CEO and President Gina Lagomarsino. “In an era where making informed decisions is crucial for addressing complex, systems-level challenges, this new practice area will play a pivotal role in supporting policymakers to take more effective and impactful actions. And we’re also thrilled to have Abeba at the helm of this effort.”
Supporting evidence-informed decision-making is not new to R4D. It has been a central theme of the organization’s work since its founding fifteen years ago. As R4D’s experience and thought leadership in this space deepen, formalizing a practice area allows the organization to significantly expand its work in this field.
“I’m excited to lead the Evidence for Decision-Making Practice at Results for Development,” said Abeba Taddese. “We’re doing important work. And I see more funders committing to equity in research partnerships with more funding for southern-led research and inclusive knowledge generation.”
Improving how evidence is generated, translated and used is central to R4D’s approach to supporting country leaders to design and facilitate effective change processes that strengthen whole systems and achieve lasting, large-scale impact. At every stage of the change process — from priority setting, to diagnosing the root causes of challenges, to co-creating and implementing solutions, to evaluating what is and isn’t working — evidence is critical.
To learn more, visit R4D’s Evidence for Decision-Making practice page and read Abeba’s recent Q&A blog about launching the new practice area.
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About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — supporting them as they navigate complex change processes to achieve large-scale, equitable outcomes in health, education and nutrition. We work with country leaders to diagnose challenges, co-create, innovate and implement solutions built on evidence and diverse stakeholder input, and engage in learning to adapt, iterate and improve. We also strengthen global, regional and country ecosystems to support country leaders with expertise, evidence, and innovations. R4D helps country leaders solve their immediate challenges today, while also strengthening systems and institutions to address tomorrow’s challenges. And we share what we learn so others around the world can achieve results for development too. www.R4D.org
