This is a beta version made available to a select group of individuals for testing purposes. This website should not be shared with the general public, and content from this beta version should not be cited until CGAP releases the full version.
Welcome to the Impact Pathfinder, an evidence platform designed to shed light on the impact of financial inclusion on development.
By leveraging existing research, this platform outlines pathways that show how financial services and products can contribute to key development outcomes, such as building resilience, promoting women's economic empowerment, creating job opportunities, and improving access to education and healthcare.
Developed as part of CGAP'sFinancial Inclusion 2.0 initiative, the Impact Pathfinder aims to make valuable evidence on financial inclusion more accessible and actionable. It provides an easy way to access and interpret insights from the literature, supporting decision-makers including donors, investors, financial service providers, regulators, and research organizations.
We invite you to explore the dynamic world of financial inclusion with us. Whether you are making investment or funding decisions, designing financial services, or conducting research, the Impact Pathfinder synthesizes existing research, saving you the effort of sifting through numerous studies so you can work more efficiently.
The platform is just the beginning of our journey to better understand the impact of financial inclusion. The Impact Pathfinder will be continuously updated with new research and insights while also highlighting areas where further research is needed.
Through theFinancial Inclusion 2.0 initiativeCGAP is focused onstudying impact and developing new ways to measure it. This effort aims to provide a clearer understanding of how financial inclusion can drive positive development outcomes.
What is the Impact Pathfinder?
The Impact Pathfinder is an interactive platform designed to help navigate the complex relationships between financial inclusion interventions and their outcomes. Based on existing research, our platform allows you to explore the direction of impact (positive or not), the key factors driving impact , the strength of evidence , and important knowledge gaps that, if addressed, could improve our understanding of the effectiveness of financial services in driving positive outcomes.
Why was the Impact Pathfinder created?
The Impact Pathfinder was created to empower stakeholders in the financial inclusion sector to make informed decisions and design effective interventions that contribute to global development. By synthesizing existing research and offering clear, evidence-based insights, the platform sheds light on the relationship between financial inclusion and development outcomes.
Who will find the platform useful?
The Impact Pathfinder can serve as a useful tool for funders (such as donor organizations and development finance institutions), investors, financial service providers, regulators, and knowledge hubs like think tanks and technical advisory organizations. Whether you are targeting funding, designing financial services, or conducting research to bridge knowledge gaps, the Impact Pathfinder can help inform your decisions.
How was the Impact Pathfinder developed?
The Impact Pathfinder was developed through a collaborative effort led by CGAP, with technical input from Dalberg and strategic guidance from the Financial Inclusion 2.0 Technical Advisory Group and Champion Group of experts. This process has benefited from extensive consultations with practitioners and stakeholders across the financial inclusion landscape.
What analytical method is used to map evidence pathways?
Impact Pathfinder uses existing research to map the direction of impact (positive or not ), identify the key factors driving such impact ,explain the strength of evidence behind different relationships, and highlight important knowledge gaps.
The platform does not offer a meta-analysis or statistical analyses of existing evidence, which would entail awarding weights to research work based on the sample size or geographical coverage. Instead, we analyze how financial services affect development outcomes based on existing evidence and identify where robust evidence exists and where further research is needed. See the full methodology here.
How can I contribute or provide feedback
The Impact Pathfinder currently features a limited set of pathways, but we are committed to its ongoing growth and improvement. We seek feedback from users and experts as we continue to develop the platform. Over time, we plan to add more pathways, update the evidence base, and refine our methodology.
We welcome your feedback! Please reach out to us atimpactpathfinder@cgap.org.
Mobile version is WIP. Please view the desktop version for the best experience
