📄 Working Paper: Do Inequalities in Access to Smartphones and the Internet Lead to Poor Learning Outcomes? Evidence from Rural India As education becomes increasingly digital, unequal access to smartphones and the internet risks widening existing learning gaps. This study finds significant disparities in digital access across rural India and shows that children in households with smartphones and internet access tend to perform better in reading, maths, and language skills. The findings highlight the importance of closing the digital divide to ensure more equitable learning opportunities. Written by Pradeep K Choudhury, Jawaharlal Nehru University 🔗 Read the paper: gdn.int/do-inequalities-acce…

⏳ Final week to apply for GDAC 2026 Are you a researcher, NGO, or CSO from a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) working on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Peace and Human Security? Don't miss your chance to apply for the 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC). Learn more and apply by June 17, 2026 : gdn.int/gdac/2026

📢 WEBINAR | Measuring Inclusivity in Digital Public Infrastructure Join the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose @IIPP_UCL and GDN for an online discussion on measuring inclusivity in DPI. Apolline Breuil and Balasubramanyam Pattath will share insights from GDN's DPI Inclusivity Measurement Programme, supported by @LetsCoDevelop, including a new framework and survey tool designed to better understand inclusion and exclusion outcomes across low- and middle-income countries. Date: Friday, 12 June 2026 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM BST Format: Virtual (Chatham House Rules) Register here: ucl.zoom.us/meeting/register…

📢 Research Teams in Latin America and the Caribbean GDN is recruiting research teams for the DPI Inclusivity Measurement Programme. Selected teams will receive funding of up to USD 50,000 to generate evidence on how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) systems affect inclusion, identifying who is being excluded and why, and contributing to policy discussions on building more inclusive DPI. The application deadline has been extended to June 21, 2026 (6 PM IST) for teams from Latin America and the Caribbean. Applications from other regions will not be accepted. Learn more and apply: gdn.int/call-national-resear…

📄 Working Paper: InfoClim: An Effective Means of Climate Information and Early Warning Services for Flood Resilience in Bangladesh Can timely climate information help communities better prepare for floods? This study finds that InfoClim, a localized climate information and early warning service, has helped reduce flood-related losses and strengthen household and community resilience in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. The findings highlight the value of accessible, real-time information in supporting early action and adapting to increasing climate risks. Written by Muhammad Abdur Rahaman, Khaled Muhammad Mehzabin Alam Prottoy, Shamina Akter, Mazharul Kabir, Mahib Mahatasim, and Amreen Islam. 🔗 Read the paper: gdn.int/infoclim-effective-m…

📢 La 3ᵉ édition de la Foire régionale aux savoirs se tiendra à Abidjan du 9 au 11 juin 2026 ! Organisée par le GDN dans le cadre du programme Savoirs Sahel 2, cette rencontre réunira chercheurs, think tanks, décideurs publics et acteurs du développement autour d’une question essentielle : Comment repenser les liens entre savoirs et action publique en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel ? Des think tanks de la région y présenteront leurs travaux et leurs analyses sur les principaux défis de politiques publiques. 📅 Le 9 juin 2026, de 17h30 à 19h (UTC), le public est invité à découvrir les expositions, échanger avec les think tanks, rencontrer chercheurs et experts, et participer à un temps de networking ouvert à toutes et tous. Professionnels du développement, chercheurs, étudiants ou citoyens intéressés par les enjeux de politiques publiques et de développement : rejoignez-nous ! 👉🏽 Inscrivez-vous ici : forms.gle/YR7RuhqSPNXkQu136

The Dream Accelerator Project by @balrakshabharat empowers children and youth to become changemakers in their communities through leadership, advocacy, and child rights training. Through youth-led micro-projects, young champions across India are driving conversations and action around education, health, gender equality, WASH, and child protection. Bal Raksha Bharat received the MIDP Award under GDN's Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) in 2021, followed by a JSDF grant to further scale the initiative. We recently witnessed the project in action in Gaya, Bihar, and joined a national roundtable in New Delhi, where young champions from 10 states came together to share lived experiences, ideas, and community-led solutions for change. Learn more about other research and development projects supported through GDAC: gdn.int/gdac/awardsplatform

Faire de la recherche au Mali 🇲🇱 : présentation des résultats du Doing Research Assessment (DRA) et lancement du rapport Rejoignez-nous pour un webinaire international consacré aux résultats du DRA au Mali. La session mettra en lumière les principaux défis et opportunités du système de recherche en sciences sociales au Mali, notamment le faible financement de la recherche, les inégalités de genre et les liens encore limités entre recherche et politiques publiques, tout en explorant des pistes concrètes pour renforcer l’impact de la recherche sur le développement national. 🗓️ 04 juin 2026 | 10h00 – 11h30 (GMT) 🌐 En ligne | En français et en anglais 🔗 Inscription : zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_…

🇧🇯 Doing Research in Benin: A systemic analysis of Benin’s social science research ecosystem. Conducted by the African Centre for Equitable Development (@acedafrica) as part of GDN’s global Doing Research initiative, the report highlights key challenges, including limited funding, under-resourced infrastructure, and weak links between research and policymaking. It also outlines recommendations to strengthen research governance, infrastructure, capacity building, and mentorship for early-career researchers and women scholars. Read the full report and executive summaries in English and French: gdn.int/research/education-r…

🇹🇭 GDN recently visited Baan Dek Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as the implementation of their Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) scale-up grant nears completion. After winning 1st Prize in the 2021 edition of the Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) Award, a category of GDN’s Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC), Baan Dek Foundation secured a JSDF scale-up grant through a competitive selection process between the two first prize winners to expand their project from 2024-2026. The Health Literacy Empowerment Project (HLEP) works to improve healthcare access for migrant workers and their families living in construction site camps in Thailand by addressing low health literacy and barriers to preventive care. Between 2024 and 2026, the project reached nearly 16,000 migrant workers, children, and community members across Chiang Mai and Bangkok. During the visit, we joined community sessions, met key stakeholders, and discussed the project’s achievements and future plans. We are proud to support innovative, community-led solutions that improve access to essential services for vulnerable communities. Learn more about other research and development projects supported through GDAC: gdn.int/gdac/awardsplatform

📄 Working Paper: Reducing Gender and Locational Gaps in Digital Financial Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa Why are women and rural communities still being left behind in the digital financial revolution? This study finds that digital literacy plays a major role in shaping access to mobile money, online banking, and other digital financial services across Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper highlights how gaps in smartphone access, education, financial literacy, and decision-making power continue to drive inequality, and calls for targeted policies to build more inclusive digital economies. Written by Michael Coffie, University of Cape Coast. 🔗 Read the paper: gdn.int/reducing-gender-and-…

📢 Call for Reviewers: 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) We are inviting applications from consultants to support the review process for the 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition. If you have expertise in development research, innovation, project evaluation, or related fields, we encourage you to apply and contribute to recognising impactful research and development projects from low- and middle-income countries. 🔗 Learn more and apply by 22 May 2026: gdn.int/opportunities Learn more about GDAC 2026: gdn.int/gdac/2026/

What does it take to build stronger research ecosystems, ones that are locally grounded and resilient? A new external evaluation of GDN’s programmes in Francophone Africa (2021 to 2025), conducted by @hwefaconsulting, explores this question. By examining five programmes together, the evaluation looks at whether working at multiple levels within a single region creates added value. The story that emerges is one of connection. Supporting individuals, strengthening institutions, and engaging the broader system can create synergies that go beyond standalone interventions. It is also a reminder that meaningful change does not happen in silos. It depends on how these different levels interact and reinforce each other. 🔗 Read the full report: gdn.int/sites/default/files/…

Faire de la recherche au Bénin 🇧🇯 : présentation des résultats du Doing Research Assessment (DRA) et lancement du rapport | English below ⬇️ Rejoignez-nous le 06 mai 2026 pour un webinaire international consacré aux résultats du DRA au Bénin. La session mettra en lumière les principaux défis et opportunités du système de recherche, ainsi que des pistes concrètes pour renforcer l’utilisation des connaissances dans les politiques publiques. 🗓️ 06 mai 2026 | 11h00 – 12h30 (GMT 1) 🌐 En ligne | En français et en anglais 🔗 Inscription : zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_… ---- Doing Research in Benin 🇧🇯: Presentation of the Doing Research Assessment (DRA) results and report launch Join us on May 06, 2026, for an international webinar presenting the DRA results in Benin. The session will highlight key challenges and opportunities within the research system, along with actionable pathways to strengthen the use of research in public policy. 🗓️ May 06, 2026 | 11:00 – 12:30 (GMT 1) 🌐 Online | French and English 🔗 Register: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_… @acedafrica @AFD_en

🔔 6ème session du Club des Chercheurs ! Le Global Development Network, à travers son Club des chercheurs, vous invite à une rencontre en ligne dédiée à l'excellence scientifique et à la valorisation des savoirs. Pour cette session, nous allons accueillir Karl Akiki, directeur du Pôle Publications et valorisation de la Francophonie scientifique de l'Académie internationale de la Francophonie scientifique (AIFS-AUF) au sein de l'AUF. Au programme de son intervention : 1️⃣ Explorer les opportunités, les facilitations et les programmes offerts par l'espace de la Francophonie scientifique. 2️⃣ Discuter des meilleures pratiques en terme de valorisation scientifique 3️⃣ Découvrir les activités de l'AIFS / AUF Informations pratiques : Lien de connexion : zoom.us/j/94898299492?pwd=he… ⚠️ Important : Il faut posséder ou créer un compte Zoom (en amont) pour accéder à la session.

Konnichiwa from Japan 🇯🇵 GDN’s President, Jean-Louis Arcand, and Director of Operations, Aarti Khanna, recently met with current and former Board Members in Tokyo to reconnect, exchange ideas, and reflect on shared priorities. The meeting offered important insights into potential collaborations. More on our work in Japan soon. Stay tuned!

🤔 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡? Join ADBI for a special 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧‑𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝, President of the Global Development Network. 💡 This session explores how remote sensing can track economic activity, support subnational analysis, and strengthen inclusive development, while highlighting the need for local capacity building and open data access. 👉🔗 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝟏𝟔:𝟑𝟎 - 𝟏𝟕:𝟑𝟎 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: fb.me/e/6QOqeX90h 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦: adbi.me/4vUyTd0

📢 Calling NGOs and CSOs driving innovative development solutions in the Global South The 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) invites applications for the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) under the theme: Science, Technology, and Innovation for Peace and Human Security. We are looking for organisations from LMICs that go beyond deploying “tech tools” to build human capabilities among vulnerable and marginalised communities, and strengthen human security through innovation. Selected organisations can receive $25,000–$50,000, along with mentoring support. 🔗 Learn more and apply by June 17: gdn.int/gdac/2026

📢 Calling researchers exploring the intersection of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and Human Security in the Global South! The 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) invites research proposals that push the frontiers of how social sciences engage with Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Global South, and how these link to Human Security. Selected projects can receive up to $30,000, along with mentoring support. 🔗 Learn more about the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) and apply: gdn.int/gdac/2026

📢 Call for Papers and Projects: Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Peace and Human Security The 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) is here! Selected research and development projects can win up to $50,000, along with mentoring support. Learn more and apply by June 17, 2026: gdn.int/gdac/2026