What Works, for Whom, and in Which Contexts? Using Cost-Effectiveness Evidence in the Real World

This event is part of Agency Learning and Evidence Month from May 2–30, USAID’s annual celebration of research, evaluation, and learning. 

There are many alternative approaches to achieving a given development objective. How do we choose from among multiple viable programs? Cost-effectiveness evidence can help us understand which interventions are most likely to have an impact on an outcome of interest and give us the biggest bang for our buck. 

In this Agency Learning and Evaluation Month session, USAID’s Office of the Chief Economist will discuss how cost-effectiveness evidence can be used to advance development objectives for particular target populations, and used to advance the Agency’s inclusive development goals. 

Even once an intervention has been shortlisted based on its likely cost-effectiveness for a particular population, decision-makers still need to assess local conditions and consult with stakeholders to make design decisions. Speakers will highlight how global evidence can help to highlight which contextual features drive high or low cost-effectiveness of evaluated programs, and what it looks like practically to use context-specific data and local expertise alongside cost-effectiveness data. This session will provide a general overview of when and how to use cost-effectiveness evidence, building on case studies of two sectors (basic education and gender-equitable agriculture) where the Office of the Chief Economist has partnered with Missions and Technical Bureaus to review available evidence and make concrete recommendations.