Ten years ago, I4DI began with a simple yet profound belief: that development could be better—more impactful, more sustainable, and more rooted in evidence. That belief guided us as we grew from an idea into a global organization, bridging the gap between knowledge and practice in some of the most challenging environments.

The year 2024 has been a defining year in this journey. It wasn’t just a year of milestones but a time to push boundaries, confront complex questions, and deepen our commitment to solutions that endure. Marked by escalating climate crises, rising poverty, and geopolitical tensions, this year reaffirmed that I4DI’s mission remains steadfast: equipping decision-makers with evidence to address the sustainability of our society and planet. Together with our partners, we turned challenges into opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and positive change.

2024: A Year of Innovation and Collaboration

This year, we achieved significant milestones, each representing I4DI’s evolution and vision for the future:

• Strengthened Technology Foundations and Data Integrity – We achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, reinforcing our commitment to rigorous information security standards. This milestone ensures that the data driving our tools is secure, reliable, and managed with precision. We also renewed and expanded our ISO 9001 certification, reflecting our dedication to delivering consistent, quality-driven solutions. These efforts strengthen our ability to support clients with scalable, dependable systems tailored to their needs.
• Advancing AI for Development – Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology culminated in the launch of DECipher, an advanced AI-powered platform designed to democratize access to development knowledge. With over 12,000 documents and decades of global learning integrated, DECipher represents our commitment to making actionable insights available to all. By offering this platform as a public good, we are making our contribution to transforming how practitioners and policymakers address development challenges. We are at the forefront of redefining how technology creates more equitable sharing of knowledge and best practices.
• Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Sustainability – This year, we deepened our collaborations with global leaders in agricultural supply chains, focusing on key commodities such as coffee, cocoa, mint, and rice. These partnerships leverage monitoring, evaluation, and strategic learning systems to help companies assess progress, navigate challenges, and align their investments with community-centered outcomes. By enhancing incomes for smallholder farmers and advancing equitable sourcing practices, we demonstrate what’s possible when supply chains prioritize inclusivity and are guided by evidence.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, India, we partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Mars Inc. on the Shubh Mint project, a groundbreaking initiative under the Farmer Income Lab. This project is designed to align government priorities with private-sector interests, enabling smallholder farmers and agribusiness SMEs—particularly women—to achieve livable incomes. Through robust monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MLE) support, we are helping to transform procurement practices and integrate smallholder farmers into inclusive, economically viable supply chains. The development of an Inclusive Value Chains Toolkit is central to this effort, providing practical resources for implementing equitable procurement strategies. This toolkit will also be integrated into the government’s digital platform, amplifying its impact across the region and beyond.
  • In Indonesia, the ACTIVE (Advancing Cocoa Agroforestry Towards Income, Value & Environmental Sustainability)  project, a collaboration with Mars and USAID, exemplifies the power of partnerships rooted in shared purpose. This initiative is transforming cocoa farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable agroforestry practices, with projections to increase participating farmers’ income by up to 15% over four years while promoting environmental stewardship. By integrating sustainable practices, the project serves as a model of growth that benefits both people and the planet—highlighting the kind of impact achievable through strategic, purpose-driven collaboration.
• New Collaboration with MCA-Indonesia: We are proud to have launched another critical project in Indonesia, partnering with MCA-Indonesia II and CDM Smith to provide Program Management Consultancy services under the second MCC compact for the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise) Activity. This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and strengthening the capacity of women-led MSMEs to access new markets and financing opportunities.
• Empowering Action on Climate and Education: With the launch of our Climate & Education Dashboard, we equipped decision-makers with tools to address how climate crises disrupt education systems. By making these connections visible, the dashboard empowers stakeholders to protect children’s education in the face of growing environmental challenges.
• Diverse Client Partnerships: We’ve continued to strengthen our relationships with both private and public sector clients. Notably, we have engaged in a second collaboration with SEO Amsterdam Economics under a framework agreement with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, providing robust monitoring and evaluation services that enhance the impact of development investments.

Looking Ahead

As we step into 2025, I4DI remains focused on scaling impact and advancing initiatives that bridge knowledge with action. Building on the successes of this year, we will:

• Expand Living Income Initiatives Building on projects like ACTIVE and Shubh Mint, we will deepen efforts to help smallholder farmers achieve sustainable livelihoods. By aligning private-sector procurement practices with inclusive value chain strategies, we aim to foster systemic change across key agricultural sectors and improve incomes for vulnerable farming communities.
• Advance AI and Technology Solutions for Development DECipher is only the beginning. We are committed to enhancing AI-powered tools like the Climate & Education Dashboardto empower decision-makers with actionable insights. , we will further leverage technology to provide stakeholders with actionable insights.
• Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships Through initiatives like the Farmer Income Lab, we will continue to bring together public and private sector actors to align priorities and drive systemic change. Our work will focus on creating inclusive and sustainable supply chains across multiple commodities and regions, ensuring that our partnerships deliver measurable social, economic, and environmental benefits.
• Deliver Evidence-Based Advisory Services By deepening relationships with private and public sector clients, we aim to align value chains with sustainable goals, ensuring measurable and lasting impact for communities and businesses alike.
• Advance Inclusive and Equitable Strategies Across all our programs, we will prioritize initiatives that empower underrepresented groups as key drivers of change. From fostering gender equity in procurement practices to supporting women-led MSMEs, we remain committed to ensuring that inclusivity and equity are integral to our approach.

As we move forward, our focus will remain on creating innovative, evidence-based solutions that empower communities, strengthen partnerships, and drive sustainability. Together with our partners, we will continue to turn shared aspirations into measurable impact for a better, more equitable future.

Gratitude and Best Wishes

Our achievements this year are a testament to the dedication and innovative spirit of our team. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each member of I4DI for their exceptional contributions. I also want to thank our partners and clients for their trust and collaboration. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and I look forward to building on these successes in the years ahead.

As we celebrate a decade of impact, I4DI remains dedicated to bridging the gap between knowledge and practice in international development. With our innovative spirit, expertise, and commitment to sustainable solutions, we will continue to drive positive change and create lasting impact in global development.

As the year comes to a close, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous and inspiring 2025. May the new year bring opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact for all.

Azra Nurkic,

Co-Founder and CEO, Institute for Development Impact