Report: Cross-Sectoral Learning in Implementation Research for UNICEF

This paper, prepared in collaboration with UNICEF, aims to promote a shared understanding of Implementation Research and its relevance to UNICEF's work.

Implementation Research (IR) is a powerful tool for increasing the likelihood that evidence-based interventions, programmes and policies are successfully implemented, by illuminating why and how interventions work in real world settings. The insights that it generates help bridge the 'know-do gap' – the gap between what we know works and what actually happens on the ground when we try to put a policy or intervention into place. IR is a means for increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes, reducing the risk of wastage and failure, and accelerating program and system improvements to reduce inequities and achieve desired results.

This report was prepared for UNICEF prior to a four-day workshop with UNICEF's global teams that CEI designed and co-hosted in January 2022. The workshop was on Cross-sectoral Learning in Implementation Research: Harnessing the potential to accelerate results for children. The workshop featured panel discussions and presentations from global practitioners who have used implementation research to support better outcomes for children, including speakers from leading development NGOs, global networks, university groups and from UNICEF senior leaders and programme staff. Read more about this work here.

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Suggested citation: 

Lewis, Jane; Mildon, Robyn; Steele, Tom (2022). Cross-Sectoral Learning in Implementation Research: Harnessing the potential to accelerate results for children, Innocenti Working Papers