Evidence and Learning

USAID aims to increase the role that evidence and learning play in democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) decision-making and to advance a culture of learning within the DRG sector. Learning is an ongoing, multi-method process of generating, curating, and utilizing knowledge and evidence to improve the effectiveness of USAID DRG assistance. 

USAID DRG programs represent a significant global investment whose effectiveness is improved via rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Given the wide array of technical approaches in the USAID DRG portfolio and the varied and dynamic country contexts where USAID works, the need for learning and adapting is continuous to achieve DRG outcomes, and the following principles guide our work:

• Evidence should be used. 
• Learning should be generated using a variety of research methods and "best-fit" approaches. 
• For all methods, there should be excellence in their application. 
• DRG learning is most effective when it draws on diverse academic fields, cultural perspectives, and national/regional experiences.

Use Our Resources!

• News and Updates: Check out past issues of the learning digest and explore DRG-related events and resources.

• Learning Tools:

  • DRG Learning Menu of Services (for USAID staff only) offers training and support for your DRG learning needs.

  • DRG Learning, Evidence, and Analysis Platform: This platform is a searchable database of DRG learning products with tons of useful resources for designing, implementing, evaluating, and adapting DRG activities. It includes: 

    • Programmatic approaches

    • Evidence maps

    • DRG Learning Harvest (searchable database with summaries and full reports)

    • Indicators and country data portraits 

• Check out the Evidence and Learning 2024 Monthly Themes

Want to get involved?

Please reach out to USAID DRG Evidence and Learning Team at drg.el@usaid.gov to contribute your ideas or provide suggestions for monthly themes, Fireside Chat topics, and others!