CALP combines methodological rigor, contextual relevance, and institutional legitimacy. Our comparative advantage lies in our ability to align cutting‑edge causal and adaptive learning methods with deep, long‑standing engagement in policy processes across the Global South.
Key strengths include:
- Leadership rooted primarily in the Global South
- Representation across multiple countries and regions
- Proven experience in policy‑embedded research and capacity building
- Long‑term relationships with governments, regulators, and public institutions
- A diverse and inclusive team across gender, seniority, and regional backgrounds
Long‑Standing Global Research Networks and Policy Engagement
A core institutional foundation of CALP’s work is the Environment for Development (EfD) network, a Global South–led research and policy initiative that has, for over two decades, supported high‑quality, policy‑relevant research and sustained engagement with policymakers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Established in the early 2000s, EfD was designed to address a critical gap in many low‑ and middle‑income countries: limited local capacity to produce policy‑relevant research and engage effectively with decision‑makers on complex development and environmental challenges. EfD brings together research centers embedded in leading universities and research institutions in the Global South and emphasizes locally led research, long‑term policy relationships, and capacity building.
Through EfD, CALP researchers have extensive experience working closely with:
- Academic and research institutions across the Global South
- Line ministries, regulatory agencies, and public authorities
- National and sub‑national policymakers
- International development partners and donors
This sustained engagement has supported evidence‑informed decision‑making in areas such as climate adaptation, environmental regulation, natural resource management, energy use, agriculture, and social protection.
In addition, CALP maintains strong methodological and policy linkages with:
- J‑PAL, particularly on randomized evaluations, adaptive piloting, and evidence‑informed policy design
- The World Bank Group, including its Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) unit, through collaboration on impact evaluation, learning, and value‑for‑money analysis
Together, these networks provide CALP with deep institutional knowledge of policy processes, access to global methodological expertise, and trusted relationships across diverse country contexts—ensuring that CALP’s work is both technically rigorous and institutionally grounded.