Education
A digital platform to improve high school students’educational decision-making in Dominican Republic
A data usage hub within Togo’s National Identification Agency (ANID), aimed at promoting public sector innovation and reducing poverty.
- Progress stage
- Nov 2023 to Aug 2024
An embedded evidence lab, developed within the National Identification Agency of Togo (ANID), under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, and in partnership with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), aims to continue the digitalization of the country’s social services and optimize data use to inform public decision-making and improve the reach of social protection programs.
Project deployed by:
Context
In 2020, the strict measures implemented to combat the Covid-19 pandemic had significant socio-economic impacts in Togo. The Togolese government quickly introduced the social assistance program “Novissi” in the form of cash transfers, designed to support the most vulnerable populations and stimulate the economy. To decide on the eligibility of applicants, given the absence of a comprehensive and up-to-date social register, a digital platform was set up to cross-reference phone data and information from the electoral registry.
Following the success of “Novissi”, the government collaborated with a research team to precise targeting methods for identifying beneficiaries of social assistance. Based on this study, the government determined that building a comprehensive digital data infrastructure and broadening data usage could improve its delivery of social protection initiatives.
Innovation
The National Identification Agency of Togo (ANID), under the Ministry of the Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, and in partnership with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is developing an embedded evidence lab within ANID to improve delivery of its social protection programs and inform public policy decision-making. The aim of the embedded evidence lab is to equip Togo’s National Identification Agency (ANID) with the tools needed to:
- Research, collect, manage, and analyze data
- Ensure interoperability between the various data collection and use platforms
- Monitor and evaluate the programs implemented.
FID funding has been used to launch an initial implementation phase for the embedded evidence lab, including an inventory of data production and use within ANID. The goal is to develop a set of recommendations to train ANID staff in data use, monitoring and evaluation. It also aims to instill a digital culture among all the country’s ministries.
Results and lessons learned
The project team began by conducting a capacity assessment of ANID’s data collection system, including its structure, resources, and processes. This assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses of the current system for data collection, processing, and reporting, and of the organization’s governance system. Following this evaluation, IPA made two key recommendations for the organization to:
- construct a data collection management system;
- establish a proactive plan for data use.
According to the results, ANID and IPA have jointly created a (preliminary) structure for the laboratory, including its recruitment process, key areas of action, and an institutionalization mechanism. The partner organizations have also laid out plans to establish a network of collaborators and raise funding for the laboratory’s activities.
In addition, they have developed a research and learning agenda to guide priority research work for finance and social protection policy. The team has taken initial steps to ensure the ministry adopts the research agenda.
A capacity-building plan has also been drafted, identifying specific training needs for future laboratory staff. Targeted training programs will be delivered on subjects such as data analysis, the use of impact evidence, and technical tools. With regard to data security, which is essential for the project’s long-term future, ANID has developed a detailed protocol to regulate access and control.
The partner organizations have highlighted the need to build capacity in data visualization, cybersecurity, and integration of data into decision-making processes to improve the country’s use of evidence-based data.
Future prospects
By prioritizing capacity-building activities, including the training provided to ANIL staff by J-Pal on impact assessment for social programs, the teams were able to have constructive and informed discussions on the laboratory’s structure and operations and gain a better understanding of the issues at stake.
In the short term, ANID, which will host the laboratory, plans to conduct initial impact assessments on topics related to cash transfers and social protection.
Over the long term, ANID wants the laboratory to become a key instrument in the production and dissemination of evidence-based data, thus facilitating the design of current and future social protection and cash transfer programs, as well as informing political decision-making at the highest level.
Projects
Projects funded by FID
