The credibility gap: Low trust in government stands in the way of fuel subsidy reform
Research in Indonesia shows corruption drives down local public support for key economic reforms.
Cash transfers increase trust in local government
A cash program in Tanzania boosted villagers' confidence in local leaders and institutions.
Information empowers citizens to demand public services
Distributing ID cards with basic eligibility information increased participation in Indonesia's Raskin (Rice for the Poor) program—leading the government to expand their use to other forms of social assistance.
Book launch: Food, vouchers, or cash transfers – the debate over social protection
Despite the trend toward cash transfers, many countries retain a mix of food assistance programs.
Cash it out? Why food-based programs exist, and how to improve them
Despite the shift to distribute food aid via cash transfers, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution, a new World Bank report suggests.
When maternal care is not enough: Risks of adolescent pregnancy in Bangladesh
Pregnancy carries more health risks for adolescent girls and their infants in Bangladesh than for older mothers, even when prenatal care and other services are provided.
Ending famines and chronic hunger requires good governance
Lessons from Bangladesh and Ethiopia on how to build reslience into food systems.
What Rwanda and Uganda can teach us about the benefits of hosting refugees
Research shows that with proper support, refugees can provide an economic boon to surrounding communities.
Harnessing information to improve public services for the rural poor: What are the possibilities, and what are the limits?
An IFPRI workshop examines ways in which (and sometimes whether) provisioning information to the public can result in more responsive governments.
Index insurance as an instrument for managing risk and modernizing agricultural production
An IFPRI trial in Bangladesh shows that index-based insurance—with payouts based on weather data or other benchmarks rather than actual losses—has benefits beyond mere compensation.