The use of Evidence for Steering and Managing for Results: Popkins, Faust and Glennester

To what extent is evidence used to guide aid governance and implementation? What are the barriers and enablers for integrating research and evaluation into decision-making? How can effective systems for results-based management be built? Jillian Popkins, Chief Commissioner, Independent Commission for Aid Impact, Professor Jörg Faust, Director, German Institute for Development Evaluation (Deval) and Professor Rachel Glennerster, President Center for Global Development, former Executive Director, J-Pal, took part in a panel discussion at the conference, jointly organised by The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA). Swedish aid will be designed and implemented in accordance with the government's aid policy. Efforts will be supported by evidence in the form of research, evaluation and proven experience. But how can we develop and use evidence on aid effectiveness? How can evidence and learning be integrated into governance and implementation? What drives poverty reduction and prosperity at a country level? These questions, and others, were addressed at the conference, which brought together decision-makers and change agents from government agencies and state-owned companies involved in Swedish aid (Team Sweden) and leading international experts in evaluation, evidence-based policy and aid effectiveness. The conference aimed to establish a foundation for ongoing dialogue and networking regarding the achievement of effective aid-funded work and cooperation.