Random Thoughts
Poverty Action Lab examines why some charitable programs work better than others.
Economic Development Social innovations that improve the living standards of the poor
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When You Build It and They Still Don’t Come
The World Bank reevaluates previous methods.
Neglecting the Neediest
Foundations favor urban poor over rural residents.
Golden Opportunity
When a Canadian multinational laid off hundreds of gold miners in South Africa, it went many extra miles to help them get back on their feet.
Pumping Prosperity
ApproTEC’s pumps are designed and marketed with an understanding of the culture and psychology of African farmers.
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The Problem With Fair Trade Coffee
Fair Trade-certified coffee is growing in sales, but strict certification requirements are resulting in uneven economic advantages for coffee growers and lower quality coffee for consumers.
Ten Reasons Not to Measure Impact—and What to Do Instead
Impact evaluations are an important tool for learning about effective solutions to social problems, but they are a good investment only in the right circumstances.
Community Engagement Matters (Now More Than Ever)
In adopting data-driven practices, leaders must design and implement programs in ways that engage community members directly in the work of social change.
The Profit in Nonprofit
Why Kiva chose to be a 501(c)(3), what this tax status buys the organization, and how being a nonprofit poses challenges.
The Top 10 Books on the Economics of Poverty
A suggested reading list to provide a foundation for understanding development, aid, and poverty.