At Just Economics we believe that research should be rigorous yet accessible, and support our clients to use evidence to implement progressive change

International development, finance and environment

Core concepts in blended finance: assessment of uses and implications for evaluation

Commissioned by the OECD, this paper presents findings from research on how blended finance actors use and define different key concepts, and what implications these understandings have for evaluators. By increasing awareness of key terms and their use, the paper can contribute to facilitating the evaluation process, simplifying the communication of findings and results, and ease collaboration between different actors.

What we do

Research and policy

We provide a range of research services from literature reviews through to statistical analysis and value for money assessments. Our staff are experienced in qualitative, quantitative and policy-focused research. We use primary, secondary and desk-based approaches, as appropriate to the research questions and needs of the client.

Evaluation and impact assessment

We produce independent evaluations for public, private and voluntary sector clients, including multi-year projects in the UK and internationally. We partner with universities, research consultancies and civil society organisations. Our staff have experience of a range of evaluation approaches, handling large amounts of data, simplifying complex arguments and synthesising key messages.

Training and implementation

Just Economics supports clients to identify barriers and enablers to successful programme or policy implementation. Implementation support has included the development of measurement and social impact tools, and training in their use.

SROI and Value for Money (VFM)

Just Economics is a leading provider of economic analysis and evaluation. We are experienced in the use of a variety of economic methodologies. We work most regularly with Social Cost-Benefit Analysis (SCBA) and Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodologies.

Health and well-being, International development, finance and environment

Dead Loss: the high cost of poor salmon farming practices

This economic analysis of salmon farming reveals that the industry has produced negative externalities worth in the region of USD$47 billion since 2013. It shows how poor fish husbandry, including measures such as high stocking densities, are a false economy as they have led to increasing mortalities on salmon farms. These represent high opportunity costs for salmon farmers. In addition, unsustainable practices such as the use of fish in feed, local pollution and poor fish welfare create social and environmental costs that are not generally accounted for.

Health and well-being

Discover/Recover Theatre Project

The Discover/Recover Theatre Project is a preventative mental health intervention aimed at secondary school students in Ireland. It aims to increase mental health literacy and reduce stigma through education and awareness-raising. It does this by using a testimonial theatre performance which has been developed from the lived experience of people with mental health difficulties. The intervention consists of the performance of a play – AFace in the Crowd - in a community setting, followed by a post-performance workshop that takes place in participating schools. In 2019, Just Economics was commissioned to carry out an independent evaluation of the intervention. Discover/Recover was found to be effective in a range of areas, most notably mental health literacy and help-seeking. The intervention was also found to challenge stigma and increase the importance placed on mental health services as a political priority.

Focus areas

Our client base ranges from local charities to public sector bodies and global corporates. We apply our expertise to key focus areas that our team are passionate about.