Center for Global Development

As aid budgets tighten, more donors are shifting from direct service delivery to “systems strengthening.” But what does that actually mean—and how can it be done well? @rglenner explores how evidence-based prioritization, policy transitions, and better data can help countries get more impact from limited resources. go.cgdev.org/4ftHZHI

🎙️ We’re excited to welcome Eliana La Ferrara as keynote speaker for CGD’s 1st Annual Women in Leadership Conference: From Pipeline to Power. Join us for a conversation on women’s leadership in global institutions, moderated by Pamela Jakiela. cgdev.org/event/1st-annu…

Dr Folake Olayinka-David, representing Hon Minister @DrTunjiAlausa, joined @FCDOGovUK Min for Africa @JennyChapman at the @CGDev Roundtable on Ending Violence in & Around Schools. #SafeSchools are essential to ensure every girl and boy can learn in safety. #UKNGEducation #EWF26

Join us tomorrow for a seminar at the Center for Global Development's London office! @Gabriela_LSC and I will present work on how to keep children safe at school. cgdev.org/event/keeping-… (Or join online! Register at the link.)

More than 1️⃣ in 5️⃣ youth in Sub-Saharan Africa are neither in education nor working, while employers continue to cite skills gaps as a barrier to productivity. Omar Arias, @DaveEvansPhD, and @santos_indhira argue that stronger TVET systems, workforce data, and digital skills are urgently needed as technology reshapes work. go.cgdev.org/4dKWhlT

Can iron and calcium supplementation help reduce blood lead levels in children? 🩸 New CGD analysis from @leecrawfurd and Theo Mitchell finds modest benefits, particularly for iron supplementation, but reinforces that supplements cannot replace primary prevention. cgdev.org/blog/iron-and-…

3 priorities on the skills for jobs agenda cgdev.org/blog/skills-jo…

"Empowering Adolescent Girls: Does It Take a Village?" Yes! cgdev.org/publication/em… New evidence from rural Rajasthan (India).

Join @CGDev and the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future in London on June 3–4 for the Second Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure where researchers, policymakers, implementers, and funders will come together to discuss the latest evidence on lead exposure and identify the most effective ways to reduce lead poisoning worldwide. Learn more 👉 cgdev.org/event/second-a…

As global oil prices rise, several countries across sub-Saharan Africa have allowed fuel prices to increase rather than expand costly subsidies despite the political risks. Benedict Clements, @SanjeevGuptaCGD, and Charley Ward examine the fiscal pressures behind these choices and why stronger international support will matter moving forward. go.cgdev.org/4d804tp

There's real momentum building around generic drug repurposing. However, the policy response could be minimal (one or two ad hoc approvals) or broad-based and durable (long-term incentives for development). Chris and I discuss the latter. Gift link below

You can teach an old drug new tricks. Aspirin prevents heart attacks, and good policy could give other generic drugs a second life, write Christopher Snyder and Sarrin Chethik on.wsj.com/4uKUSS7

The 🇪🇺's proposed Global Europe Instrument reflects a changing development landscape shaped by infrastructure competition, private investment, and geopolitical priorities. @GavasMikaela examines what that could mean for poverty reduction, accountability, and the EU’s most vulnerable partners. cgdev.org/blog/eus-globa…

What is foreign aid actually for? 💰 As aid budgets face growing pressure, @MasoodA_, @GavasMikaela, and Sara Casadevall Belles argue that making the case for aid starts with greater clarity about its purpose—not framing it only through the lens of national interest. Their analysis explores where aid works best, what it can realistically achieve, and why being honest about its limits matters. Read more 👉 cgdev.org/CaseForAid

Ahead of the UK’s Global Partnerships Conference next week, CGD experts examine what to watch for—from the future of aid and multilateral coordination to global health reform, migration policy, and systems support. cgdev.org/blog/what-are-…

A new partnership between @WorldBankGroup, @CGDev & University of Chicago’s Development Innovation Lab, announced at #WBGMeetings will help countries scale proven solutions —bringing impact to the communities that need it most. Watch the full discussion: wrld.bg/jaWm50YMLTo

Ahead of #WHA79 next week, @peterbaker17 examines three issues to watch: deteriorating @WHO financing, prioritisation challenges, and the future of global health architecture reform. cgdev.org/blog/three-iss…

New research from rural Rajasthan finds that girl-only groups reduced school dropout and early marriage—but involving the wider community also improved girls’ mental health. @alison_andrew1, Sonya Krutikova, @Gabriela_LSC, and @HemlataV_ explore what this means for addressing gender norms and supporting girls’ wellbeing. go.cgdev.org/4wmXo2r

New analysis from @helen_dempster and @m_clem, with contributions from 🇮🇹’s Minister of Labour, Marina Calderone, explores how AI tools could help streamline credential recognition and skills matching across borders—and how Global Skill Partnerships could help countries respond to growing labor shortages. cgdev.org/blog/leveragin…

What is the role of economists and of evidence in international development efforts? Esther Duflo, @RGlenner (@CGDev), Michael Kremer, James Robinson, and Samantha Power discuss this topic between 2:27:30 & 2:59:28 on this video: youtu.be/u3zEJFhmuSQ?si….