Research

• "The Effects of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on Cognitive and Health Outcomes of Children in Andhra Pradesh" - Working Paper
  with Danilo Cavapozzi, Teresa Randazzo

This paper analyses the impact of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on the health and cognitive outcomes of schooling children living in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. We exploit the variability derived from the individual educational history of children, combined with the phased implementation of the program targeting only students in the public sector, to construct a variable measuring the monthly cumulative exposure to the Mid-Day Scheme. We provide evidence of the positive impact of the policy on children attending public schools, particularly in reducing inequalities between children enrolled in the private and public sectors. Lastly, employing a Heckman Selection model accounting for the selection issue on the type of school attended by children, we show that the impact of the policy is positive and consistent regardless of the type of school attended.

Presented at: Ca' Foscari University of Venice - Internal Seminar (2023); SITES Annual Conference - Naples (2023)

• "The Impact of Non-Governmental Organisations on Children's Wellbeing: Evidence from Ethiopia" - Working Paper

This research studies the role of the Non-Governmental Sector on household economic outcomes by analysing the impact of receiving support from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on children’s food security and time-use in Ethiopia. I exploit the implementation timing of a restrictive NGO law to solve the potential endogeneity concerns by defining a two-stage model. I find evidence that receiving NGO support increases children's time spent on income-generating activities, reducing the number of hours dedicated to household chores. These effects are mainly due to children who either live in the poorest households, in rural communities, or in a family in which the primary occupation of the household head is agriculture. Notably, receiving support from an NGO increases the time children spend in education only for female-headed households.

 Presented at: University of Exeter - Internal Seminar (2024);  Ca' Foscari University of Venice - Internal Seminar (2024); SASCA PhD Conference (2024); ASSET  - Association of Southern European Economic Theorists  (2024)

• "On the Role of NGOs in Contrasting Elite Capture in Developing Countries: A Multidisciplinary Literature Review" - Working Paper
  with Danilo Cavapozzi, Teresa Randazzo

This literature review uses a multidisciplinary approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative insights from economics and social sciences, to investigate the impact of elite capture in developing countries. We examine how elite capture influences resource allocation in programs led by Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). While NGOs are often seen as potential mitigators, the findings show that elite capture persists even when NGOs manage developmentinterventions, revealing context-specific mechanisms that limit their effectiveness. Potential strategies to limit elite capture require to promote the civic engagement of the whole society, in particular disadvantaged groups who face economic and non-economic barriers hindering their participation in community life.