This project introduces a novel methodology for treatment assignment, which aims to balance the goals of maximising the precision of treatment effect estimates and maximising the welfare of experimental participants. The assignment algorithm is applied to three interventions designed to improve formal employment outcomes of Syrian refugees and local jobseekers in Jordan.

In this project, researchers look at the role played by two market frictions - the lack of credentials and expensive travel costs - in limiting the effectiveness of young people's job search.

We conduct a field experiment in which we offer graduated microfinance clients the opportunity to finance the purchase of a business asset worth four times their previous borrowing limit. We implement this using a hire-purchase contract; our control group receives a zero-interest microcredit contract.