Systemic Market Development
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Typical policies to improve the incomes of poor households and their businesses are based on the sustained provision of services – be it microfinance with multiple loan cycles and regular meetings; conditional cash transfers with regular transfers over a period of years; or business training programs which are based on the idea that capital along is not enough – as in the proverb “give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for life”. In a new paper with Suresh de Mel and Chris Woodruff, published online today in Science , we ask whether the much simpler policy of giving a one-time grant to small business owners has any long-term effect. [An aside to World Bank/IFC readers, I am delighted that our library now finally has arranged full-text online access to Science – and the paper is short, so click through!].
Give a man a fish and feed him for life? Experimental evidence on the long-term effects of grants on Sri Lankan Microenterprises | News, views, methods, and insights from the world of impact evaluation
Like Marta and Juan on the picture, women and men live together, talk to each other, care for one another, and build common livelihoods. Still, women and men are often expected to have different roles and responsibilities in society, and the relations between women and men, girls and boys, are marked by inequality. Women are more likely to be excluded from decision-making than men – from the household up to the highest levels of government – and they have less access to and control over economic resources such as credit, land and income. Discrimination also hits girls harder than boys – for example, girls are more likely than boys to be withdrawn from school because of the greater value attached to boys’ education in many societies. While gender inequalities are pervasive across northern as well as southern and eastern countries, and exist across all social strata, it is women living in poverty who are most acutely affected.
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An Agricultural Peace Dividend | Stanford Social Innovation Review
In northern Uganda, home to one of Africa’s longest and most brutal civil conflicts, organic farming is producing economic growth and stability. (Illustration by Justin Gabbard) “ The hardest part is reopening the land,” says Stella Atimango, an agricultural extension worker standing in a former battle zone beside neat rows of recently planted cotton on a one-acre farm in northern Uganda. Beyond Atimango, the tiny cotton field was surrounded by an abandoned countryside, the result of two decades of fighting between the Ugandan military and the Lord’s Resistance Army.
1. Schubert pianist : Radu Lupu . 2. Conductor : Sergiu Celibadache . A high variance obsessive, Amazon doesn’t seem to carry his important recordings. At his peak he is one of the best conductors ever and can force a total rethink of the music upon you.
Marginal Revolution — Small steps toward a much better world.
Home | DMA
Developing Markets Associates Limited (DMA) is a globally recognised multi-service development consultancy. Incorporated in 2007, the company was established to mobilise funds to the global South through investment summits for sovereign governments and through reducing the costs of international remittance payments to emerging market economies. Since its inception the company has grown to cover a broader portfolio; hosting large scale investment events for governments of emerging economies all over the world and establishing itself as one of the world's most authoritative remittance and payment systems consultancies.
Social marketing is the planning and implementation of programs designed to bring about social change using concepts from commercial marketing. Programs to influence action will be more effective if they are based on an understanding of the target audience's own perceptions of the proposed exchange; Target audiences are seldom uniform in their perceptions and/or likely responses to marketing efforts and so should be partitioned into segments; The marketplace is constantly changing and so program effects must be regularly monitored and management must be prepared to rapidly alter strategies and tactics.
Social Marketing
Blog | Global Humanitarian Assistance
Earlier this week, The Global Journal – a Geneva-based magazine – published its inaugural annual ‘Top 100 Best NGOs’ list. The Wikimedia Foundation is ranked as the best NGO worldwide. Partners in Health, Oxfam, BRAC, International Rescue Committee, PATH, CARE International, Médecins Sans Frontières, Danish Refugee Council and Ushahidi make…
I’ve spent the last three years working on aid transparency. As I’m moving on to a very exciting new role ( watch this space for more details) this seems a good time to reflect on what I’ve learned in the last three years. This is a self-indulgently long essay about the importance of aid transparency, and the priorities for how it should be achieved. Busy readers may want to read the 8-point summary below. And for a very clear and concise introduction to the importance of aid transparency, take a look at this video by my (former) colleagues at aidinfo . The 8-point summary
Eight lessons from three years working on transparency | Owen abroad
Private Sector Development can be a vital tool in conflict-affected environments. In the 2011 World Development Report and elsewhere, it is now recognised that low GDP per capita and unemployment are major drivers of conflict. This is supported by survey data cited in the WDR: Asked for the reasons why young people join rebel groups or gangs, the biggest share of respondents indicated unemployment as the main reason. The report concludes that the path to longer-term development and peace "is dependent on a healthy private sector".
DCED: Full Guide to Resources
There is growing recognition among donors of the importance of understanding the political, economic and social processes that promote or block pro-poor change, and to understand the role of institutions, power and the underlying context in developing countries. The need for this has been reinforced by the ongoing reform of the ways aid is delivered and managed. This includes not only the shift towards increased country ownership, alignment of aid with partner countries’ priorities, systems and procedures, and the move from project to sector and budget support.
Political Economy Analysis
Legendary Value
Imagine: Pinpoint exactly where to start. Simple, practical, profitable programs. Need hands-on support? Eager to exchange thoughts with other highly motivated leaders committed to achieving Legendary Value™?Behind Certifications and Beyond Labels Our latest report examines the value and challenges found in using product-level certifications & labels, and charts a future course for these tools.
SustainAbility | Independent think tank and strategy consultancy
Welcome to Strategies & Direction Consultants . We provide consulting services in the area of strategy and business development . Our unique experience in business and non-profits allows us to bridge the narrowing gap between these two sectors. We help businesses embed social innovation and environmental sustainability into their strategies and operations to deliver superior long-term value. We help non-profits improve their operating performance and achieve financial sustainability.