EQUITY INCUBATOR
Advancing equity and inclusion is an enormous undertaking with urgent and competing priorities.
Launched in 2023, SI’s Equity Incubator seeks to improve equity and inclusion outcomes through evidence-based practices.
What we do
We use evidence, learning, and adaptive management to leverage change that supports greater equity and inclusion. Through our services we help our clients take steps to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations and/or in their services and programs. We do this through:
Evidence Gathering
Initiatives aimed at advancing equity and inclusion are often not grounded in high-quality data and analysis. Our approach places a strong emphasis on evidence, utilizing it to identify challenges and measure progress in equity and inclusion initiatives. We apply a contextually and culturally responsive approach with rigorous mixed data collection methods to ensure a comprehensive understanding of what’s effective, what’s not, and why.
Diagnostics & Analysis
When data on equity and inclusion exist, they often lack thorough and accurate analysis. Our team employs rigorous analytic techniques to diagnose barriers to equity. We also provide cutting-edge visualizations and employ effective communication and change management techniques to convey our findings effectively.
Data Use, Learning & Adaptive Management
To ensure data on equity and inclusion is relevant, utilized, and results in lasting change, all impacted parties need to be part of the discussions. Through intentional reflection, facilitated discussion, strategic engagement of all partners, and deliberate planning we work in partnership with our clients and individuals impacted by the data to explore findings and improve processes, systems, and program implementation.
Our principles
Our work is driven by a number of principles which guide everything we do.
We engage these principles through continuous reflection and action. Principles include:
Shift power
We work to shift power by working to center decision-making, ownership, resources, and knowledge in the organizations and individuals most impacted by our services.
Engage with humility
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this type of work; we engage with curiosity, humility, and compassion. We meet partners where they are, understand the context and history surrounding the work, and determine a path forward based on what is possible and needed.
Create sustainable change
Our work looks to provide the foundation for longer-term transformation. In order to do this, we take into account the broader environment and systems within which inequities take place. We ensure processes, buy-in, and resources are in place to support changes in more than just the short term.
Practice Inclusion
We aim to include all identities and voices and integrate intersectional nuances in our work. We incorporate this into our methodological approaches as well as in how we compose our teams.
Ensure protection
Creating a safe environment for individuals is critical for effective teams, organizations, and programs. We aim to ensure the safety of research participants following Do No Harm and Institutional Review Board standards of practice.
Focus on use
We believe that equity and inclusion should not be theoretical, but tangible. As such, we work with clients and partners to customize our approach and focus on creating deliverables that are relevant, timely, and practical.
Examples of our work
-
Advancing Equity and Inclusion at a Federal Agency
Social Impact offers USAID a range of services including technical assistance, coaching, strategy development, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) services tailored to effectively implement Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) tools. Our commitment lies in advancing DEIA principles through collaborative endeavors, proactive inclusion strategies, and transformation of power dynamics.
-
Advancing DEIA in the Global Development Sector
BRIDGE is an institutional survey that explores diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) metrics, structures, and practices at the organizational level across US-registered organizations in the international development and humanitarian sector. Learn more here.
-
Advancing Equity and Inclusion within an Office
As part of USAID Learns, Social Impact has offered MEL support to USAID Vietnam, aiding the Mission in essential insights for evidence-based decision-making. Our efforts have focused on enhancing staff satisfaction and well-being through DEIA initiatives.
