Evidence Frontiers delivers impact assessments, research, and evaluations through an Afrocentric and decolonised MERL approach—centering local agency, contextual intelligence, and ethical knowledge production. We co-define the purpose, questions, and success criteria with communities, implementers, and local institutions so the work reflects what matters on the ground and produces evidence that is credible, legitimate, and usable.

What we evaluate and research

We execute studies across priority domains where partners need decision-ready learning and accountability:

• Impact Assessments and Programme Evaluations: baseline, midline, endline, and post-programme studies; outcome and impact pathways; contribution to change.
• Complexity-Responsive and Systems Evaluations: adaptive learning for systems-change initiatives; developmental and utilisation-focused evaluation.
• Implementation and Service Delivery Research: what is working, for whom, and why; bottleneck and barrier analysis; operational learning to improve delivery quality.
• Policy, Political Economy, and Governance Analysis: power and incentives mapping; feasibility and implementation context; stakeholder and institutional analysis.
• Gender, Equity, and Inclusion Evaluations (GEDI): gender-transformative impact, social norms change, inclusion outcomes, safeguarding-sensitive research.
• Costing and Value for Money: cost-effectiveness, efficiency analysis, cost drivers, and investment cases for scale and sustainability.
• Evidence Synthesis and Meta-Learning: cross-project learning, portfolio synthesis, and structured evidence reviews to inform strategy and resourcing.

Fit-for-purpose methods: rigorous and respectful

We apply designs that match the context and decision need—mixed methods, participatory approaches, quasi-experimental designs where appropriate, and contribution-focused methods such as outcome harvesting and contribution analysis. We value multiple ways of knowing by combining quantitative measures with lived experience, community narratives, and culturally grounded perspectives—because impact is not only what can be counted, but also what communities define as meaningful change.

Locally led execution and fair partnership

We prioritise locally led delivery by recruiting, training, and mentoring local researchers and field teams, and by investing in equitable partnerships. Our protocols strengthen data quality while avoiding extractive practices—ensuring communities and local institutions have voice, ownership, and benefit from the research process.

Responsible data and do-no-harm practice

We uphold responsible data standards throughout the study cycle—robust informed consent, privacy and confidentiality protections, and safeguarding-aligned protocols, particularly in sensitive domains such as GBV, SRHR, and research involving children and vulnerable populations.

Sensemaking and use: evidence that leads to action

We translate findings into action through participatory validation and sensemaking, learning workshops, and practical products—learning briefs, policy notes, dashboards, and implementation recommendations. This ensures evidence supports real-time adaptation, strengthens accountability, and improves decision-making for programmes and policy.