Mid-Term Learning Review: International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI)

Abstract

In 2016, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) awarded iDSI a grant to expand our work over the next 3 years. This period when iDSI is growing and maturing was a good time for a learning review, which was conducted by Itad (iDSI’s partners for monitoring, evaluation and learning). Itad undertook a detailed review to assess the effectiveness and perceptions of iDSI and our programme of work; they were able to draw on perspectives both within the iDSI network and in the wider global health space. Objectives of the mid term review: Understand the value of the iDSI brand to stakeholders, [particularly related to country-based practical support] Capitalise on the Secretariat's transition to Imperial College London, [by identifying the range of expertise new IGHI partners can bring to iDSI] Build iDSI's offering as a network, through strengthening and formalising our relationships with additional global health and research partners iDSI used the MTR and its recommendations to inform our growth, and spur new dialogue between iDSI partners on our value and strategy. The evaluators’ findings overall supported iDSI’s ambitions and recognised the rapid progress made in a young network. The recommendations emphasised that iDSI has built an impressive reputation for policy support, and has the potential to be a global leader in priority-setting for universal health coverage. As a network we have made progress since mid-2016 on many of the areas identified in the MTR, such as communicating our evidence base in a wider variety of formats and platforms.