Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Assist in building a society that values each person equally, protects the vulnerable, and creates opportunities for all to realise their full potential.

Cornerstone Economic Research

We specialise in researching public finance and policy implementation challenges, especially in relation to issues relevant to children, and proposing practical solutions. Through research and training, we empower those responsible for making strategic decisions to develop, and implement, sustainable policies and programmes to overcome the challenges of social and economic exclusion, and inequality.

Our Services

Building on the team’s practical experience across sectors and levels of government, we provide the following support. 

Costing of Policy & Legislation

We are at the forefront of developing costing methodologies and MS Excel-based costing tools, which enable policymakers to plan implementation with a better understanding of the costs of the targeted outcomes.

Performance & Expenditure Reviews

We are well-positioned to support PER research, given our experience with policy costing, process mapping, logical frameworks, expenditure analysis, and performance monitoring and evaluation.

Policy Research Development & Advice

Research to advise on policy formulation, and scenario analyses to inform policy options, are key aspects of the work we do. Together, these enable realistic scenario-based planning for implementation.

Public Finance Management

We have extensive experience with public finance planning and budgeting processes. We have been involved in advising on the design of budget programmes, local government budget formats, and the design and costing of implementation programmes.

Explore our projects

Investment Case - Strengthening the Social Service Workforce for Child Protection

Eastern and Southern Africa has, on average, just 58 social service workers per 100,000 children. Commissioned by UNICEF ESARO with Maestral International, Cornerstone developed and piloted a methodology in Kenya and Zambia for building an investment case for the child protection workforce. A Synthesis Report and Policy Brief guide governments towards credible, costed workforce planning.

Why Choose Cornerstone?

Central to the work we do at Cornerstone is our striving to assist in building a society that values each person equally, protects those who are most vulnerable, and creates opportunities for all to realise their full potential.
We have a broad and deep understanding of the complex development challenges facing societies in transition.

We have first-hand experience, from within government, of the policy development and implementation processes. 

We approach problems pragmatically, and recognise that the most effective solutions are those that are relevant to the local context.
We combine innovation and common sense, supported by strong quantitative modeling, writing and presentation skills.

About us

Cornerstone provides high-quality economic research and consulting services to the public sector, supporting evidence-based policy, planning, and decision-making. We specialise in the costing of policy and legislation, performance and expenditure reviews of government programmes, and the development of robust governance frameworks for fiscal, financial, and performance management. Our work also includes investment case analyses and the preparation of clear, accessible budget briefs, helping governments and partners translate complex economic evidence into practical, actionable insights.

Got a research project you’d like to talk about?

Cornerstone is a specialist research company. The team is highly qualified, and has extensive public sector experience. Our preference is to do most of our work in-house. However, when necessary, we are able to leverage capacity through collaborative agreements with practitioners, researchers, academics and consultants from our network of contacts. If you wish to discuss working with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.