
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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?”

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