Development Lab: AidData Center for Development Policy
Overview
A critical information gap—the absence of subnationally geocoded aid data—confounds efforts to effectively deliver foreign assistance. The AidData Center for Development Policy will lead a global effort to correct this problem by collaborating with USAID’s GeoCenter to create high resolution geospatial data and powerful analytical and GIS tools that enable USAID and the global development community to more effectively target, monitor and evaluate aid projects and programs.
Background
The AidData Center for Development Policy is an outgrowth of AidData, a global leader in the provision of reliable, timely, and detailed information about foreign assistance projects. Through this partnership with USAID, the Lab will build a world-class research consortium that consists of geographers, economists, epidemiologists, political scientists, computer scientists, and statisticians who will use these geospatial data to help USAID, other donor agencies, and developing country governments make evidenced-based policy and resource allocation decisions.
Planned Activities
| Challenge Grants | Administer challenge grants generate technological breakthroughs that will advance the application and use of geospatial data in development |
|---|---|
| Data Analysis | Promote the use of this complex – and growing – geospatial data set create tools that help developing country governments, donors, and other decision-makers better use and analyze data so that limited public resources for development are well spent |
| Training Programs | Train and support USAID staff, university students and faculty, governments and civil society leaders, finance and planning ministry officials, and entrepreneurs in developing countries to put this geocoded information to productive use |
Goal
The AidData Center for Development Policy will create high resolution geospatial data, conduct analysis and apply imagery as decision support tools that enable USAID and the broader global development community to more effectively target, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate their aid investments.
Last updated: February 22, 2013
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