Oxford Policy Management

𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿. Our Data Innovation team has developed a guide that could transform how we measure and understand poverty using research by the University of Southampton and in partnership with povertyevidence. By combining small area estimation techniques with big geospatial data rather than census data, we are exploring ways to generate regular, granular poverty estimates at significantly lower cost. This method provides estimates more frequently since there is no need to wait for decennial censuses and it offers valuable insights for previously unmapped or under-surveyed areas. This innovative approach addresses key challenges in poverty estimation: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: More regular updates to inform timely policy decisions; 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Detailed estimates down to district or even village level; 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Covering areas often missed by traditional surveys. Our latest blog post details the limitations of current poverty estimation methods, explains the mechanics of our small area estimation approach, and presents a case study illustrating the new method in Bangladesh. For those interested in the technical aspects and potential applications, please read the full article: https://opm.global/3WcC7ZC

We’re really looking forward to sharing ideas and insights at our upcoming networking and learning session in Nairobi! Jeffrey Ben Matu Phalasha Nagpal Dr Divya Nambiar

📢𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁! 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵. This event will bring together funders, development professionals, and key decision-makers from the education sector to share insights and promote discussions on improving outcomes for Kenya's youth. With youth unemployment being a significant challenge in the country, this seminar presents an opportunity to explore workable solutions based on evidence from our work on the world's largest Development Impact Bond in the skills sector. Spaces are limited, so register your interest today! 📆: June 25, 2024 ⏰: 10:00 – 12:00 EAT 📍: Nairobi, Kenya (in-person only) 🔗: https://bit.ly/3XeQSvN

“𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲” This was just one of the key discussion points at our AI and social protection event in Berlin last week.   Karin Seyfert, Paul Jasper and Mareike Sirman-Winkler shared their latest insights and chaired a lively discussion on the potential uses, risks and benefits of using AI in social service delivery programmes.   The panel explored AI use in Germany and international development programmes around the globe, including real-life case studies: ➡️An emergency cash transfer programme in Togo utilised household surveys and mobile phone data to determine poverty patterns ➡️Malnutrition mapping in Papua, Indonesia - combined survey data with geospatial ‘sandwich’ layers to produce data which had previously been too costly or difficult to produce. Want to learn more about the benefits of AI to social protection programmes? Reach out to our Data Innovation team here: https://opm.global/4aUhDc2 Want to join our lightning talks and networking events in Berlin? Contact Karin.Seyfert@opml.co.uk

...and here are some key takeaways from the discussions on mountains and climate change at the UN Bonn Climate Conference.

Apar Paudyal and Bimal Raj Regmi, PhD from our Nepal team are taking part in a side event today, at the UN Bonn Climate Conference ⬇️

Apar Paudyal and Bimal Raj Regmi, PhD from Oxford Policy Management will be supporting Nepal Delegation on Climate Finance issues https://unfccc.int/sb60

𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆? 🙋♀️ It’s a silly question – after all, who doesn’t? The real question is, how to do it? The development community has grappled with the concept of effective technical assistance for decades. Effectively translating bold national policy promises into tangible outcomes for local communities means simultaneously navigating multiple layers of governance, understanding different contexts and being aware of complex institutional dynamics. By definition then, there’s no silver bullet, one-size-fits-all approach. But there are valuable - and importantly, replicable - insights and tools to be gleaned from unique, long-running development programmes that give the time and space to allow for a holistic view of complex municipal service issues. The 𝗦𝘂𝗯-𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗦𝗡𝗚) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 in Pakistan is just one example. In this new policy brief, M Mujib Khan and Sophie Russo, outline how innovative pilots in two Provinces of Pakistan are transforming the delivery of local solid waste management services – and providing a blueprint for supporting local governments across the full policy cycle, from problem identification, through solution design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and course correction. These pilots challenge traditional top-down, selective approaches to technical assistance through their focus on problem-driven and iteratively adapted assistance that’s both holistic and tailored to local contexts. Find out more in the briefing note below. Do you have your own unique insights on strengthening public service delivery? We’d love to hear more – please leave us a comment.

🆕The future of social protection: Can artificial intelligence deliver? Join our Berlin #SPConnect event to explore the possibilities of AI for public service delivery. 📆: Monday, 3 June 2024 ⏰: 18:00 CET 📍: Berlin Speakers: ➡️Karin Seyfert: Key definitions and concepts in AI. ➡️Paul Jasper: Innovations in data science and policy making. ➡️Mareike Sirman-Winkler: AI adoption and impact in public administration. To register for this event please email: info.europeoffice@opml.co.uk See you there! #socialprotection #berlin #ai

What does a #PeriodFriendlyWorld look like?   This menstrual hygiene day, we throw the spotlight on schools – and the importance of menstrual hygiene management as part of any school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme.   We know that inadequate WASH is specifically gendered and perpetuates inequalities. On the flip side, improved WASH can dramatically improve girls’ education outcomes.   But what does accessible and adequate WASH look like? And why won’t simply building new toilets be enough?   In this insightful blog, our expert, Humaira Hansrod looks at the importance of promoting appropriate menstrual hygiene management knowledge and activities in schools - and shares practical approaches for incorporating this into WASH programmes.