Connectivity, currency fluctuation, M&E, tips for proposal writing: For development executives

Over the past month, Devex has gone behind the scenes on the future of global health data and drilled into how internet giants are helping expand connectivity around the globe. We asked experts for their advice on saving money amid challenging currency fluctuations, how to write a winning proposal, and ways to engage communities more in monitoring and evaluation. Here is the best of our Executive Membership content.

Good data on public health is vital for good policy, and never in history have we had so much information to draw from. Yet there are still big gaps in what we do and don’t know. That tension is often on the mind of Chris Murray, director of Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, who spoke with Devex’s Catherine Cheney about the future of health data. IHME has been a pioneer in health data analysis and recently received $279 million grant from the Gates Foundation to expand its work. Murray shared his advice on how development organizations and governments can harness big data to drive their work. Read the full discussion here: “Why invest in health evidence? Q&A with Chris Murray of IHME”

Internet connectivity is an essential component of economic development, according to a growing list of big tech companies and donors. Microsoft, Google and Facebook are pushing hard to increase internet access and connectivity around the world. Devex interviewed Paul Garnett, the convener of Microsoft's Affordable Access Initiative, about the company’s work and how friendly competition with tech company peers can help bridge the digital divide. Read more about how internet companies are working with major donors to bring the Web to new markets: Collaboration, competition, connectivity: Q&A with Paul Garnett of Microsoft's Affordable Access Initiative