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The government has tasked the Swedish aid agency Sida with evaluating its initiatives using scientific methods. To achieve this goal, Sida will assess its programs through, among other approaches, randomized controlled trials. 

“Governments, regardless of political affiliation, bear the ultimate responsibility. If you are a major donor in the field of international aid, you must also ensure that the money is spent on the right things,” says Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, to Dagens Industri. 

“It’s about being able to measure the actual effects of an aid program and determine what works and what doesn’t,” says Martina Björkman Nyqvist, Professor of Economics and Director of Misum who conducts research on how aid projects can be improved through scientific evidence. 

The Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, extended his gratitude to Martina for playing a key role in shaping the reform and she will continue to serve as an invaluable sounding board throughout the implementation phase. 

For our Swedish-speaking audience, you can read the full article .