Facilitating data use for decisionmaking: 50x2030's approach

Abstract

Data are a critical input into policy and can help central actors make informed and evidence-based decisions. Yet, data within a country are not always presented and analyzed in a manner that facilitate their use. Analysis of data use rarely moves beyond a supply and demand framework and fails to recognize that the data ecosystem within a given country is complex and includes a host of actors. Recognizing this complexity, the 50x2030 Data Initiative is exploring a new approach to understanding and facilitating data use. This paper provides an overview of the methodological approach to understanding data use. It examines early country experiences with the approach in order to ultimately help countries reach the end goal of data-driven decisionmaking in agriculture and rural development. Focusing on results from Cambodia, Uganda, and Georgia, the paper presents lessons on the methodological approach as well as findings on the constraints that are most hindering data use in the examined countries.