What if we could know—really know—what works to reduce violence and strengthen justice systems? Imagine policymakers and communities globally equipped not just with good ideas, but with proven, evidence-based strategies that make neighborhoods safer, uphold justice, and disrupt cycles of poverty and violence.

Today, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) launched the Rule of Law Initiative (RLI) to make that vision a reality. Under the academic guidance of Dr. Christopher Blattman (University of Chicago) and Dr. Rodrigo Canales (Boston University), the initiative aims to build a solid foundation of knowledge on what truly works in promoting security and justice. By understanding "what works," RLI seeks to help governments and communities achieve real, lasting reductions in crime and more responsive justice systems.

Why This Initiative Matters

Global security challenges are growing: while 70% of adults report feeling safe in their communities, this figure plummets to 51% in sub-Saharan Africa and 47% in Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking, and weak institutions are eroding the very foundations of community safety, stalling economic growth, and obstructing justice. The stakes are high: without credible solutions grounded in evidence, efforts to improve security often fall short, leaving communities vulnerable and hopeless.

This is where the Rule of Law Initiative comes in, contributing to bridging this gap through faster, more effective learning.

How the Rule of Law Initiative Will Drive Change

The Rule of Law Initiative will go beyond generating data to creating actionable knowledge. RLI aims to empower policymakers and practitioners with insights to craft effective justice systems and security programs that make communities safer, not only in their perceptions but also in reality. To achieve this, RLI will:

• Establish a Knowledge-Sharing Network: A committee of researchers from diverse fields who collaborate closely with security and justice actors will guide RLI’s work, fostering an environment of collaboration and idea-sharing. This network will ensure that the Initiative addresses the most pressing questions in the evolving security landscape through rigorous research pieces, including those outlined in the points below.
• Develop a Learning Agenda to Guide Evidence-Informed Research: By consulting with policymakers, researchers, and community leaders globally, RLI will identify the most critical and impactful questions facing justice and security systems today. This effort will result in a learning agenda that will identify frontier topics and provide a clear roadmap for future research. This agenda will inform the Initiative and also serve as a practical document for the broader research and policy communities. Understanding what we know and what we know we don’t know will sharpen our ability to address existing knowledge gaps and put forward best practices, enabling stakeholders to anticipate emerging issues and respond proactively to new challenges. This knowledge piece will help us stay at the forefront of advancing justice and security through evidence-informed insights.
• Synthesize What Works: In areas where reliable evidence already exists, RLI will gather and distill key findings into accessible, practical guidance for practitioners and policymakers. These synthesis reports will translate complex research into actionable policy recommendations, cutting through jargon to help leaders implement evidence-informed strategies.
• Invest in Novel Research: To tackle the biggest unanswered questions on security and justice matters, RLI will fund groundbreaking studies designed to fill knowledge gaps. These research projects will explore the most promising, untested strategies for violence reduction and justice reform, providing policymakers with actionable insights backed by robust evaluations.

Toward a Safer, More Just World

The Rule of Law Initiative represents a bold step toward filling the knowledge gaps that have long hindered progress in justice reform and civilian security. By putting evidence at the forefront, RLI will provide decision-makers with useful tools to reform justice systems, curb violence, and strengthen trust in public institutions. Through partnerships with governments, civil society, and academic institutions, RLI is poised to drive tangible improvements in community safety and justice.

IPA is laying the groundwork: gathering the research committee, consulting stakeholders, and refining the learning agenda. In early 2025, RLI will open applications for a competitive fund to support novel research worldwide. To stay updated, sign up for IPA’s newsletter or contact us at justice@poverty-action.org.

RLI receives funding from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) through the Partnership to Advance Research and Scientific Evidence (PARSE).