International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) Company Profile

Background

The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is a mission-driven non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing development effectiveness through the use of high-quality evidence. Established in 2008, 3ie collaborates with decision-makers in governments, foundations, NGOs, and development and research organizations globally to meet their evidence needs and facilitate the use of evidence in their work. The organization's mission is to support the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence to inform decision-making and improve the lives of people living in poverty in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Strategic Focus

3ie provides a range of evaluation and synthesis services to answer questions about the effectiveness of interventions and deliver tailored capacity-sharing activities in the methods and tools they use. The organization is committed to learning by exploring the use of the latest methods and technology in their work and sharing what they learn with the international development community. 3ie maintains an array of global public goods to improve access to evidence and ensure transparent and ethical practices. Their diverse portfolio spans key sectors such as agriculture, education, governance, health, livelihoods, and nutrition, as well as pressing global challenges related to peacebuilding, gender, and climate change.

Financials and Funding

3ie has received support from various donors committed to evidence-informed decision-making. Current supporters include:

Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval)

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Global Affairs Canada (GAC - DFATD)

German Development Agency (GIZ)

H&M Foundation

ideas42

International Security and Development Center (ISDC)

The Government of the Republic of Benin

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

Nutrition International

Oxford Policy Management (OPM)

People's Courage International

TANGO

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Pipeline Development

3ie has awarded over 200 grants, including 146 impact evaluations, 33 systematic reviews, and 38 other studies, in over 50 countries, with a total value of US$84,225,205.

Technological Platform and Innovation

3ie champions the research transparency and reproducibility movement as a means of understanding and mitigating challenges to the credibility of social science research. They have developed tools to bolster these efforts, including the Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE), which aims to enhance the transparency and quality of impact evaluation research before it begins.

Leadership Team

Marie Gaarder: Executive Director

Birte Snilstveit: Director – Synthesis and Reviews and Head of London Office

Hitesh Somani: Director - Finance and Administration

Neelakshi Mann: Program Director - Asia

Sebastian Martinez: Director of Evaluation

Thomas Kelly: Director – Evidence for Policy and Learning

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The field of impact evaluation in international development is characterized by a growing emphasis on evidence-based policy and program design. Organizations in this sector focus on assessing the effectiveness of interventions to inform decision-making and improve outcomes for populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the impact evaluation sector include:

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA): Founded in 2002, IPA conducts randomized controlled trials and other quantitative research to measure the impacts of development programs across various sectors, including microfinance, education, health, and agriculture.

Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA): Established in 2008, CEGA is a research network based at the University of California that advances global health and development through impact evaluation and economic analysis.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

3ie collaborates with various partners to strengthen the impact of their work and achieve deeper and more sustainable changes in all areas of their work. These partnerships complement and extend their member network to promote high-quality evidence production and use in development decision-making.

Operational Insights

3ie's strategic considerations in relation to major competitors include:

Emphasis on Transparency and Reproducibility: 3ie's commitment to research transparency and reproducibility sets them apart in the field, ensuring the credibility of their findings.

Global Reach and Diverse Portfolio: With offices in New Delhi, London, and Washington, DC, and a diverse portfolio spanning multiple sectors and global challenges, 3ie has a broad and impactful presence in the international development community.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

3ie's new strategy (2024-2026) responds to the rapid pace of change and the considerable challenges of today and tomorrow. Their independence and depth of expertise will continue to enable 3ie to work on projects at the frontiers of development practice, improving the creation and use of evidence.