Development Impact Group

DIF aligns with the World Bank's vision of becoming a "Better Bank," addressing global challenges and advancing a sustainable, poverty-free world through enhanced knowledge and innovation in development. Central to this initiative is DIF's implementation of DIME's 'trial-and-adopt' technology, which transforms development practices through a portfolio-based operational approach, prioritizing continuous learning, scalability, and the adaptability of interventions.

Over the last twenty years, DIME has applied this approach to over 200 impact evaluations in 64 countries, shaping $26 billion in development finance. This methodology has proven to double the effectiveness of development finance by learning from past mistakes, selecting cost-effective solutions, and optimizing policy and investment designs.

DIF aims to broaden the application of this technology across the World Bank and its partner countries, enhancing the impact of global development programs.

DIF is a World Bank–executed fund, designed and implemented by the World Bank in collaboration with funding partners and country clients. Figure 1 outlines the coordinated approach that engages policymakers and program implementers to ensure that policy decisions are driven by rigorous evidence.

The implementation and capacity building process is detailed below:

• Thematic Areas: DIF operates globally across sectors and regions, identifying thematic priorities in under-evaluated sectors that align with the strategic priorities of the World Bank and its partner countries. The goal is to develop comprehensive multi-sector data and impact evaluation products that enhance the design and effectiveness of programs and policies across development sectors.
• Project Preparation Workshops: DIF conducts intensive 5-day workshops either focused on a specific sector or combining multiple sectors, bringing together 20-30 project teams. These workshops aim to foster dynamic group learning among government officials, development partners, academic experts, and World Bank operational teams. The primary objective is to integrate global evidence in project designs, promote cross-sector learning, and introduce advanced impact evaluation techniques, thereby developing a cohesive learning agenda.
• Selection of Projects: Following the workshops, a technical committee selects projects for further support based on their potential for innovation, technical quality, and scalability. These projects receive both financial and technical assistance to finalize and implement their impact evaluations, led by DIME research teams. In addition, a dedicated DIME Analytics team provides targeted training and hands-on learning, employing advanced data management systems and digital tools to enhance administrative capabilities and program effectiveness across regions.
• Delivery for Impact: DIF assembles specialized project teams for each impact evaluation, consisting of economists, field coordinators, research assistants, data scientists, and behavioral and AI specialists. These teams collaborate closely with government counterparts and project operational teams to implement impact evaluations jointly, testing various interventions, delivery modalities, design features, and targeting mechanisms to pinpoint effective strategies that maximize project impact.
• Knowledge Diffusion: The results are shared in real-time with government counterparts, allowing for early and frequent feedback loops essential for trial-and-adopt strategies that facilitate mid-course corrections. At the conclusion of impact evaluations, results are analyzed with clients to inform decisions on whether to scale up, adjust, or retarget programs to achieve greater results.

Figure 1. DIF’s Approach to Inform Policy

As a World Bank multi-donor umbrella facility trust fund, DIF is governed by the Development Impact Global Partnership Council, ensuring strategic alignment with partners for operational excellence. This council, comprising representatives from donor partners and the World Bank, meets annually to oversee progress and set long-term objectives aimed at maximizing developmental outcomes.

As DIF continues to scale its approach globally, it remains committed to fostering an ecosystem where scientific rigor and collaborative data-driven impact evaluations redefine the landscape of international development.

• Learn more about our most recent Impact Evaluation workshop in Cape Town: Africa LEADS Workshop