Summary
As a first step under ASPIRE, J-PAL South Asia will roll out the Taaron ki Toli programme across 23,000 state-run schools in Odisha
ASPIRE will also assist the government of Odisha in evaluating the efficacy of potential solutions in the areas of labour welfare, education, gender, early childhood development, among others
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia and Veddis Foundation have come together to launch the alliance for scaling policy impact through research and evidence (ASPIRE). ASPIRE aims to spur the adoption of anti-poverty policies rooted in scientific evidence and data. Veddis Foundation is anchoring ASPIRE with an investment of USD 6.3 million.
As a first step under ASPIRE, J-PAL South Asia will roll out the Taaron ki Toli programme across 23,000 state-run schools in Odisha. It will also assist the government of Odisha in evaluating the efficacy of potential solutions to the biggest policy challenges in the areas of livelihoods and labour welfare, education, gender, distress migration, and early childhood development. These have been identified by the government as its top priority areas for poverty reduction.
ASPIRE is designed to bring together governments, donors and nonprofits to solve some of the most pressing challenges Indians living in poverty are facing today, building on J-PAL South Asia’s 15 years of work in poverty reduction in the country. Over 100 million people across 20 Indian states have been reached by programmes and policies that have been informed by studies done by researchers who are part of J-PAL’s global network. J-PAL is known for its work in using rigorous scientific evidence to help policy makers. The co-founders of J-PAL Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo were awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2019 for their pioneering work done in using randomised control trials (RCTs) in alleviating global poverty.
Shobhini Mukerji, executive director, J-PAL South Asia said, “ASPIRE has been conceived to make scientific evidence and data the bedrock of policymaking in India. It is only by advancing policies that are backed by solid evidence of effectiveness can governments succeed in improving the lives of the poor and the vulnerable in a timely, holistic and effective manner. The grant from the Veddis Foundation opens up exciting new possibilities for us to establish new, long-term partnerships with multiple state governments and central agencies.”
Last updated on 15 Mar 2022
