Blog

Country: Ethiopia Sector: Resilience, Humanitarian Response Background: During the prolonged drought period, a humanitarian consortium needed rapid socio-economic data to inform relief prioritization. The focus was on asset loss, income disruption, food security, and market functioning. Approach: We designed a high-frequency phone survey using a rotating panel of 1,000 households. The tool collected weekly data...

Country: Senegal Sector: Employment, Skills Development Background: A regional foundation working on youth development wanted to understand barriers to employment among out-of-school youth, especially in coastal towns affected by declining fishing incomes. The study aimed to identify training gaps and alternative livelihood options. Approach: We surveyed 600 youth aged 18–30 and conducted FGDs with jobseekers,...

Country: North Kivu, DRC Sector: Livelihoods, Conflict Recovery Background: An international NGO sought to evaluate the socio-economic recovery of conflict-affected households in North Kivu, focusing on livelihoods, market participation, and access to services. The goal was to design long-term reintegration programs for returnees and host communities. Approach: Using a mix of household surveys, focus groups,...

Country: Nairobi, Kenya Sector: Urban Development, Social Protection Background: The client, an urban poverty reduction initiative, aimed to map the socio-economic conditions of residents in Nairobi’s informal settlements to inform equitable budgeting and service provision. The study focused on areas with high population density, insecure tenure, and poor access to services. Approach: We conducted over...

Region: Rwanda Sector: Gender, Livelihoods Background: A women’s empowerment network commissioned a study to explore how rural women were participating in economic life and what barriers they faced in accessing credit, markets, and land. Approach: We used a feminist research lens, combining 700 structured surveys with storytelling interviews. We analyzed access to productive resources, time...