News

As the world faces a deepening jobs crisis, the challenge is not only to create more jobs — but to ensure that the poorest can access employment opportunities now. Over the next decade, 1.2 billion young people in emerging markets will reach working age, yet only about 420 million jobs are projected to be created. For millions — especially vulnerable women and youth in low-income communities…

The climate crisis is steadily pushing millions into deeper poverty. Chronic hunger is rising across low- and middle-income countries. A shortfall of roughly 300 million jobs looms over the next decade, disproportionately affecting women and youth. Ongoing global instability and the COVID-19 pandemic have erased years of progress in reducing extreme poverty, creating a complex and urgent…

Aid budgets are shrinking. Climate shocks are rising. If economic inclusion programs are going to continue to deliver real change, we need to move beyond just the basics. We need smart, practical financial tools that meet the poorest and most vulnerable people where they are, with services they can use to save, protect themselves from risk, and invest in new activities. Leveraging the private…

The growing frequency and severity of shocks and stressors—from natural disasters, diseases, political and economic fragility, and other causes—are increasingly undermining the livelihoods, health, and safety of the poor. More and more people need support, but efforts to provide it are often fractured. As international development practitioners and policymakers, we need to pursue a more…

It’s early morning in Benin and Solange, a young mother, is dropping her child off at one of the several new daycare centers before heading to her job maintaining solar lamps. Just a few years ago, she was like many other women in the country who could not work because she lacked formal training or access to childcare. But today, with support from the Benin Azôli program, she is working…

Human, ecological and climate systems are deeply connected. Our jobs, health, and even cultural values all stem from our natural surroundings. As a result, climate change has emerged as the most significant challenge of our lifetime and is fast becoming the new paradigm for global development.