Photo Credit: Gabriel Inchauspe
Blog

Stories, ideas, and updates from DGers around the world

The Development Gateway: An IREX Venture blog is where DGers share specific learnings, offer thought-provoking insights, and pose challenging questions for the sustainable development community derived from our work.

Our blog has a deep archive going back to 2005. Each post is a snapshot into our work, priorities, and values.

DataRev Round-Up

A recent ODI paper focused on what ‘localizing’ might be applied in the post-2015 agenda. With the exception of a few broad considerations, it depends on the local context. It’s an important phrase we’re all familiar with, but sometimes is left behind when we start talking about things like scalability. It also means involving local communities in feedback loops from the start.

February 13, 2015
News/Events
Staging a Geospatial Data Revolution

(This is part 1 of a two-part series on the role of sub-national data and country systems in the Data Revolution. Part 1 discusses the progress made during the MDG process and what challenges are ahead over the next 15 years of the SDGs. Part 2 will discuss what is needed to put countries in the driver’s seat of the SDG process, to ensure that the beneficiaries of the data revolution are the ones who need it most.)How far have we come?

February 11, 2015
Innovation
Notes from the Field: Geocoding Aid Data in DRC

Development Gateway, through its partnership with AidData, recently concluded the first phase of USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network-funded geocoding work in collaboration with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Planning. Outcomes were well received by government officials and key development partners. However, everyone acknowledges this is only the first step towards enhancing GIS capacity throughout government agencies and the donor community.

February 5, 2015
Aid Effectiveness & Management, Open Data
A Roadmap for AMP Sustainability

Working toward a self-sustainable Aid Management Program is among the highest priorities of Development Gateway. We believe that an AMP has the best chance of longevity when the government has the skills it needs, the resources it requires, and commitment from decision-makers. However, empowering a partner country to manage a program and maintain technology doesn’t happen overnight.

February 3, 2015
Aid Effectiveness & Management
Fostering a “Data Culture”

This post continues coverage of breakout sessions held at the 7th Annual Aid Management program Good Practices Workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal. At the crux of the Data Revolution is an increased use of data for government decision making. However, this tenet is often coupled with the assumption that a data-driven culture already exists.The Importance of Access

January 29, 2015
News/Events
Ensuring Data Works Where it Counts: IATI and Country Systems

Recently, we discussed the International Aid Transparency Initiative’s data publication and quality “tipping point”: per the IATI Secretariat, seven of the top ten development partners (DPs) in most countries are publishing IATI data.

January 27, 2015
Aid Effectiveness & Management, News/Events, Open Data
Setting your Data-lutions for 2015

It’s a new year and you probably have your resolutions picked out, and maybe have already given up on one or two of them. Well it’s not too late to add to the list (or replace the unsuccessful). We suggest making a few data-lutions this year and have found a few good ideas to ponder.

January 22, 2015
Open Data
Leveraging Data to Reshape Relationships

In December 2014, Development Gateway hosted the 7th Annual Aid Management Program Good Practices Workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal. This event brought together representatives from over ten countries for discussions, knowledge sharing, and hands-on sessions. Over the next several weeks, we will be releasing posts covering some of these breakout sessions. Be sure to review our Blog and Twitter (#AMPWS2014) for previous posts.

January 20, 2015
Aid Effectiveness & Management, News/Events
The Next Five Years: Replacing Build Back Better with a Cycle of Constructive Communication

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. While the disaster has faded from the news cycle, the Government of Haiti, donor agencies, and citizens are still walking down the road of reconstruction. As individuals involved in this effort, today of all days we should stop to ask:“What is my role in this recovery process, and how well am I performing in that capacity?”

January 12, 2015
Innovation
Open Contracting for Open Development: Insights and Applications

“If your mother gives you $10 to go to the store to buy a bottle of milk, you have to show her, 'Here is the milk and here is the change.' Likewise, we are obliged to show taxpayers exactly what we are doing with their money.”- María Margarita “La Paca” Zuleta, Director of Colombia Compra Eficiente

January 6, 2015
Procurement