Overview

CEGA's mission is to improve development outcomes, by designing and rigorously testing strategies for poverty alleviation in low- and middle-income countries. As our name suggests, CEGA also seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and social action, by equipping policy-makers, program administrators, and donors with the knowledge and training needed to improve development practice.

History

CEGA was founded in 2006 by a group of Berkeley researchers considered pioneers in the field of impact evaluation. The Center's faculty members have led some of the most influential studies in recent years, using innovative methods for understanding the effects of complex, multi-sector interventions. Our investigators have also studied development programs at a range of scales—from district-level pilots to projects, like Mexico's Oportunidades, delivered on a national scale.

Activities

The Center supports investigator-driven projects as well as "team science" projects that draw together researchers from various disciplines. CEGA faculty members also benefit from collaborations with researchers and universities in more than 20 countries. To nurture and grow these partnerships, the Center helps to build scientific research capacity at partner institutions. In addition to in-depth research training, we offer short courses and workshops in impact evaluation for development professionals and policy-makers, to promote learning about what actually works to improve social and economic outcomes.