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Inclusive Economies

Our work explores what characterises inclusive economies and how these can be achieved, particularly in a world where new technologies, rural to urban migration, and growing youth populations are disrupting and putting new pressures on people’s lives and livelihoods.

Our research looks at the impacts of business and markets on development and inequality and explores the potential for novel market-based solutions to work for the poorest and most marginalised based on gender, ethnicity and disability.  It explores alternatives that enable workers, consumers and communities to have a real voice.

It continues to revitalise debates on agriculture as a key pathway out of poverty and towards inclusion, particularly for young people. Our work is focused on identifying what opportunities exist in a period of agricultural commercialisation and rural transformation and how far different groups are able to access them.  It also understands how new technologies such as drones or blockchains pose risks, but can also be harnessed to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people.  In a rapidly urbanising world where cities have become focal points for economic growth, jobs and innovation but also for poverty, inequality, vulnerability and conflict, our work explores what this means for both urban and rural people, and the opportunities and challenges they face in living safe and fulfilling lives.

People

Jodie Thorpe

Research Fellow

Philip Mader

Research Fellow

Richard Jolly

Emeritus Fellow and Research Associate

Ana Pueyo

Research Fellow

Carlos Fortin

Emeritus Fellow and Research Associate

Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Research Fellow

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Giel Ton

Research Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 277–288 of 15397 results

Working Paper

The Politics of Social Assistance in Lebanon: Social Protection, Sectarianism, and Lebanon’s Fragmented Social Contract

BASIC Research Working Paper 32

This working paper explores the contemporary politics of social assistance in Lebanon.

5 February 2025

Brief

The Politics of Social Assistance in Lebanon

BASIC Research Policy Briefing 5

This brief examines the politics of social protection amid ongoing financial crisis in Lebanon.

5 February 2025

Past Event

Screening and panel discussion of the documentary ‘Made in Ethiopia’

When a massive Chinese factory complex attempts a high-stakes expansion in rural Ethiopia, three women in search of prosperity have their faith in industrialization tested to the limit. Join us for a screening of award-winning documentary 'Made in Ethiopia', exploring the realities of...

5 February 2025

Opinion

Reimagining social assistance in the Kurdistan region of Iraq: The vital role of local organisations

Since 2015, the social assistance system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has been largely inactive due to fiscal constraints, political instability, and administrative challenges – leaving vulnerable communities reliant on local organisations and international actors to fill the...

Louisa Seferis & 2 others

4 February 2025

Past Event

Negotiating Protocols of the UN Tax Convention

This workshop is aimed at tax experts and non-tax practitioners engaging in the negotiations of the protocols of the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax. Join the IDS-based International Centre for Tax and Development and the International Institute for Sustainable...

4 February 2025

Opinion

New businesses in small towns in Zimbabwe

What are the new businesses being established in the small towns of Zimbabwe? As the last blog has illustrated our long-term study of Mvurwi, Chatsworth and Maphisa shows a variety of changes, with different drivers associated. There are varying links too with a changing agriculture, but what is...

3 February 2025

Opinion

The turbulence and the toll of the USAID freeze

The election of President Donald Trump has ushered in a sharp turn of direction for the US government in its domestic and international engagement. Since his inauguration on 20 January, President Trump has been quick to enact policy change, including freezing all international development...

3 February 2025

Student Opinion

Being part of powerful network working for social change

Bruna Viana de Freitas studied MA Power, Participation & Social Change (MAP) at IDS in 2021-22 and went on to set up Cúrcuma, a consultancy working with participatory approaches for justice and inclusion, mainly focusing on socioenvironmental and human rights fields. In this blog post, Bruna...

Bruna Viana de Freitas, IDS alumna

31 January 2025

Why learn with us.

In an extraordinary time of challenge and change, we use more than 50 years of expertise to transform development approaches that create more equitable and sustainable futures. The work you do with us will help make progressive change towards universal development; to build and connect solidarities for collective action, locally and globally. The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past five years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).

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