PEI In Focus. Program Brief: Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE)

Nazia Moqueet

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the socio-economic prospects for the youth in Bangladesh. In response, the Government of Bangladesh launched in 2021 the World Bank-financed Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) program. RAISE aims to provide services that can improve earning opportunities for 375,000 low-income urban youth, micro-entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19, and returning migrants. This policy note draws on lessons from global economic inclusion programs to illustrate the rationale and design considerations in the RAISE program. In addition, it provides recommendations on key areas to track in the impact evaluation, which will be critical in identifying the most effective approach for youth populations and providing lessons on cost-effectiveness for national scale.