The Department of Research and Documentation (DIDE) in Peru’s Ministry of Education, IPA Peru, and J-PAL LAC launched a collaboration to promote the use and production of evidence within the Ministry.As part of this cooperation, the three organizations are launching a series of evidence workshops to share results on evaluations of education programs in the region.The first of these workshops presented the results of an early numeracy program in Paraguay.IPA Peru and J-PAL LAC will also offer an introductory training on impact evaluation for DIDE staff.

Dean Karlan (Yale; President, IPA; Chair, J-PAL’s Finance and Microfinance Program), Chris Udry (Yale; Co-chair, J-PAL’s Agriculture Program; IPA affiliate), and IPA Ghana staff officially launched the Disseminating Innovative Resources and Technologies for Smallholders (DIRTS) project, which examines the impact of access to improved-yield agricultural inputs and agricultural extension advice on land cultivation and earnings among farmers in northern Ghana who received access to rainfall insurance.During the event that accompanied the launch of the program, Dean and Chris presented results from the Examining Under-Investment in Agriculture (EUI) project.

The Multilateral Investment Fund at the Inter-American Development Bank convened a working group to share insights on the role of remittances and savings in helping transnational households manage their finances.Dean Yang (University of Michigan; IPA and J-PAL affiliate) presented his work evaluating the links between remittances and savings products in transnational households.