Poverty reduction in low-income countries is increasingly influenced by the Rising Powers, a category that includes the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as regional powers such as Mexico and Indonesia. Their importance is likely to grow still further as the financial crisis and longer-term global economic and political shifts reduce the relative weight of established donor countries such as the UK.

This programme, led by Alex Shankland and Lizbeth Navas-Alemán, will develop an evidence-base around the role of these countries in development and produce practical guidance for policy actors on effective approaches for engaging with them. The programme will also have a particular focus on exploring the contribution of the Rising Powers to global public goods. This will start with a study of key sectors, such as the energy sector, where the global public good is climate change mitigation, and examine the political and institutional drivers and barriers for action in five of the Rising Power countries.

Since 2011 IDS has been home to the BRICS Initiative, a hub of research, learning and knowledge sharing on the role of the BRICS countries as actors in international development cooperation. This new programme will draw upon the Institute's strong existing networks of research, civil society and government partners in the Rising Power countries. Researchers from across the Institute will be involved in the delivery of this programme.

• Programme Convenors: Alex Shankland and Lizbeth Navas-Alemán
• Programme dates: April 2012 - Ongoing
• Funder: Department for International Development (DFID)