Development Research
We investigate development problems, systems, policies, and lived realities to produce knowledge that is analytically sound and useful for decisions.
Understand the disciplineEvidence for Development.
Research and evaluation for better development decisions.
CADRE is an independent Afghanistan-based institution that generates credible, context-sensitive evidence and helps decision-makers understand what works, why, for whom, and under what conditions.
An institution built around evidence
Development choices deserve evidence that reflects reality.
CADRE studies development challenges as they are experienced by people and institutions. We combine scientific rigor with deep attention to context so that evidence can inform policy, programme design, implementation, and learning.
Our disciplines
Two practices. One purpose.
CADRE focuses on the two disciplines through which credible development evidence is generated and tested.
Evaluation
We assess relevance, performance, outcomes, impact, and sustainability to explain what changed and what should happen next.
Understand the disciplineDevelopment sectors
Evidence across interconnected systems
Economic Development & Livelihoods
How policies, markets, finance, and livelihood systems can expand opportunity and improve household resilience.
Agriculture & Food Systems
How agricultural systems, value chains, and food security interventions perform across diverse local conditions.
Education & Skills
What improves access, learning, workforce readiness, and equitable education outcomes.
Health & Nutrition
How health and nutrition programmes reach people, strengthen systems, and produce sustainable outcomes.
Governance & Public Institutions
How institutions, policies, and public systems can become more capable, accountable, and responsive.
Social Protection & Inclusion
How programmes can reduce vulnerability and respond to gender, disability, displacement, and exclusion.
Climate, Environment & Resilience
How communities and institutions understand risk, adapt to shocks, and protect natural resources.
Infrastructure & Urban Development
How infrastructure and urban investments create public value, improve access, and remain viable over time.
Digital Development
How digital systems, data, and responsible technology can improve services without deepening exclusion or risk.
Our methodology
The CADRE Model
A disciplined cycle for turning complex questions into credible evidence and responsible decisions. Context is not an afterthought; it shapes every research and evaluation choice.
Explore the methodology- CContextualize
- AAnalyze
- DDesign
- RResearch
- EEvaluate
Why CADRE
Evidence produced with institutional discipline
Independence
Questions, methods, findings, and limitations are protected from inappropriate influence.
Scientific rigor
Methods are selected transparently and applied with proportionate quality assurance.
Contextual intelligence
Local institutions, incentives, power, culture, and delivery conditions shape the analysis.
International standards
Research ethics, evaluation principles, data protection, and responsible reporting guide every assignment.
Afghanistan expertise
Afghan knowledge and leadership are central to how questions are framed and evidence is interpreted.
Collaboration
Bring a development question that needs credible evidence.
CADRE works with institutions that value independence, methodological clarity, and evidence grounded in context.
Request collaboration