The Knowledge, Evidence and Learning for Development (K4D) Programme supports the use of learning and evidence to improve the impact of development policy and programmes. It is funded by UK aid and is designed to assist the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and other UK government departments and partners to be innovative and responsive to rapidly changing and complex development challenges.
Our services
K4D supports research and learning for FCDO and other UK Government department in three ways:
- Providing a Research Helpdesk for rapid response and complex Emerging Issues Reports
- Facilitating in-depth and collaborative Learning Journeys
- Producing Learning Products to enhance learning
and uptake
Research Helpdesk
FCDO staff can request a Research Helpdesk report on a subject of their choice (as long as the request is Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible). They receive timely, rigorous analysis from a network of researchers and global experts. Helpdesk reports can be a review of the available evidence, experience, and emerging practice, a literature review, annotated bibliography, or similar. Once approved, rapid research reports use six researcher days and are delivered in one month, with Emerging Issues Reports stretching over a longer period.
K4D has produced more than 1,000 Helpdesk Reports and 40 Emerging Issues Reports with all published reports available on a dedicated OpenDocs page.
If you are FCDO staff, you can request a Helpdesk Report or Emerging Issues Report by emailing [email protected].
Learning Journeys
K4D facilitates in-depth Learning Journeys for FCDO, UK Government staff, and partner organisations. Led by a K4D researcher and thematic experts, this process bridges disciplines and enables participants to learn together around an issue or challenge.
Learning Journeys support interdisciplinary learning and dialogue in FCDO and with partners, and response to strategic themes and organisational priorities.
More than 40 Learning Journeys on a wide range of topics and themes have been led by K4D, with publicly facing journeys available here.
Learning Products
K4D produces Learning Products to support and enhance evidence and learning. The majority of these are commissioned as part of a Learning Journey, though individual products can be requested by FCDO staff.
Over 200 Learning Products have been produced, including videos, podcasts, slide decks, multimedia reading packs and reports, infographics, social media campaigns, graphic design for emerging issues reports, and more.
Humanitarian Evidence and Discourse Summaries
K4D publishes monthly Humanitarian Evidence and Discourse Summaries to signpost the latest relevant resources, evidence and discourse.
COVID-19 Resource Hub
Our dedicated COVID-19 Resource Hub brings together learning across FCDO and the UK Government to support their fight against COVID-19 and its consequences.
Contact us
E: [email protected]
T: 01273 915788
