New research priorities for 2017 include social movements, radicalization, electoral systems and conflict, e-governance, gender-based violence and much more.  You can see the full agenda here.  Throughout the year ahead, the DRG Center will disseminate findings from learning agenda related research activities to encourage utilization by Mission staff engaged in strategic planning and project design. here

Did you know that voters who feel that their local politicians are directly accountable to them are much more likely to contribute to public goods?  That own-source revenues tend to produce less waste and better services, yet central transfers remain the most important revenue source for local
governments in many countries? And that local civil society provides robust checks and balances on decentralized governments in communities with high levels of social organization? 

See  infographic and  edited volume for additional information.

A recent V-Dem Institute working paper on the effectiveness of democracy aid to different regime types and democracy sectors finds that d emocracy assistance is more likely to be effective when the aid does not pose a threat to  regime survival and when it matches the particular democratic deficits in a country.  

See infographic and working paper for additional information.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the world. A new DRG impact evaluation on SGBV programming in South Africa recommends a train-the-trainer approach to community dialogues to allow for broader programmatic reach, and formal SGBV training for police and other professionals in the system of care.  

See two-page  brief and the impact evaluation endline report for additional information

New DRG research presents the results of a series of randomized controlled trials in Nepal to determine the effectiveness of media campaigns designed to raise counter-trafficking in persons awareness. The findings show that campaigns increased knowledge about trafficking, ability to self-identify as victims, and ability to recognize trafficking situations. The campaigns also increased respondents' sense of urgency about trafficking in Nepal, commitment to act to address it, and actions to prevent it. The research found empowerment campaigns to be more effective than fear-based narratives. The research suggests a policy preference for use of radio in a country such as Nepal, where radio is cost effective. 

See  infographic and  working paper for additional information.

International IDEA Policy Brief on flexibility, learning and ownership in DRG programming

Highlighting local ownership, the policy brief proposes that practitioners consider how to contribute to learning about more democratic approaches to results management and evaluation in the field of democracy assistance.  See the brief here.

EGAP Policy Brief #38: Diminishing the Effectiveness of Vote-buying Through
Voter Education
Radio advertisements are a cost-effective way of educating voters in India, particularly in rural areas.   Educating voters about the instrumental nature of vote-buying and the negative consequences of electing vote-buyers shifts large numbers of votes away from vote-buying parties.  See the brief here.