Agricultural Intervention, Poverty and Food Security in Ethiopia
The Agricultural Growth Program (AGP) in Ethiopia was designed by the Ethiopian government to address food security and poverty alleviation. The program is funded through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank, with contributions from the European Union (EU), Global Affairs Canada, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This project focuses on evaluating the program’s impacts on improving food security and reducing poverty.
Researchers: Tigist Mekonnen Melesse, Wondimagegn Tesfaye, and Zewdu Abro
Capacity Development for Practitioners in Impact Evaluation
The Social Innovation and Impact Institute (Si3) participated in the UNICEF and WFP Global Impact Evaluation Forum 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held from December 2–5 under the theme “Experimenting, Learning, and Scaling up What Works in a Fragile World.” At the forum, Si3 shared insights from its work on resilience-building initiatives across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Si3 remains dedicated to meaningful engagement and driving impactful solutions for a more resilient world.
Speakers:
Michael Craft, UNICEF’s Regional Evaluation Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean
Tigist Mekonnen Melesse, Director, Social Innovation and Impact Institute (Si3)
Jane Mariara, Executive Director, Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP)
Mohamud Said Nur, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Planning, Somalia
Leonard Wantchekon, Professor, Princeton University
Household Vulnerability and Resilience to Shocks
Households in Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly vulnerable to shocks, including climate change and other idiosyncratic events. This study analyzes panel household survey data from over 12,000 households across six countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda) provided by the World Bank. The findings will help policymakers design targeted interventions to strengthen household resilience and reduce vulnerability to such disruptions.
Researchers: Tigist Mekonnen Melesse and Wondimagegn Tesfaye
Leveraging digital finance in Ethiopia: Randomized Controlled Trial (Pilot Study)
Researchers: Gebeyehu Manie Fetene, Tigist Mekonnen Melesse, Yesuf Awel, Dagim Belay, and Firew Bekele Woldeyes
Harnessing Digital Solutions for Mental Health and Economic Wellbeing
Digital health solutions provide a transformative means of addressing societal challenges. In alignment with the Global 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring health and well-being for all, this project emphasizes integrating digital technologies into healthcare systems to improve access, efficiency, and equity among underserved communities.
Researchers: Tigist Mekonnen Melesse and Ayalnesh Zemene Yalew
Child Care Assistance for Women on Workforce Participation and Economic Empowerment
This project examines how access to child care assistance and mentorship influences the workforce participation and economic empowerment of young and adolescent women. By analyzing existing programs and policies, the study explores how early child care responsibilities impact education, employment opportunities, and long-term economic and human development outcomes. The findings will inform strategies to reduce gendered barriers, promote equitable access to work and education, and enhance economic resilience among young women and girls.
Ethical Impact evaluation in Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts
The Social Innovation and Impact Institute (Si3) had the privilege of participating in the 2024 UNICEF and WFP Global Impact Evaluation Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. During the forum, we shared our impact evaluation work in East African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda).
Participates:
Tigist Mekonnen Melesse (PhD), Director, Social Innovation and Impact Institute (Si3)
Nyasha Juliana Tirivayi (PhD), UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight
Jennifer Waidler (PhD), Evaluation Officer at World Food Programme
Francesco Iacoella (PhD), Impact Evaluation Analyst at UNICEF Evaluation Office
Si3, UNICEF, and WFP Staff. Photo credit: UNICEF
Mobile Internet Banking, Technology Adoption, and Digital Development in Ethiopia
This study examines the relationship between the adoption of mobile internet banking and its impact on digital development in low-income countries, with a specific focus on Ethiopia. It investigates how socioeconomic factors such as education levels and income disparities affect technology adoption rates, emphasizing challenges like limited internet accessibility and low trust in digital platforms. Moreover, the study evaluates how the widespread use of mobile banking can enhance financial inclusion, stimulate entrepreneurial activities, and improve digital literacy in the country. The findings aim to provide practical insights for policymakers and financial institutions striving to promote sustainable digital development.
Researchers: Tigist Mekonnen Melesse and Trang Pham-Thi
