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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 397–408 of 15397 results

Brief

Fellow’s Brief: Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Forced Rural-to-City Migrants in North-West Nigeria with a Focus on Mental Health Vulnerability

SSHAP Briefing

This brief explores the humanitarian needs of forced rural area-to-city migrants in the north-west of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with an emphasis on their vulnerability to mental health challenges. The brief presents key considerations in addressing the humanitarian needs and...

31 October 2024

Brief

Global Clean Energy Policy and the Inclusion of Women and Youth

CEDCA Clean Energy Brief 1

This Clean Energy Brief assesses the available evidence, opportunities, and challenges for the inclusion of women and youth, through micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), for global clean energy policy innovations. In this context, policy innovations are understood to be the...

31 October 2024

Working Paper

Social Assistance and Coping With Crises in Borno, Nigeria

BASIC Research Working Paper 31

This paper examines the relationship between social assistance, violent conflict, and intersecting crises, and considers how social assistance can help offset erosive forms of coping that could otherwise drive poverty and food insecurity.

Vidya Diwakar
Vidya Diwakar & 4 others

31 October 2024

Past Event

UN careers panel

Many students come to IDS with experience in the UN or aspirations for a career in the UN system. This event gives them the opportunity to learn about the realities of such a career and the opportunity to connect with and gain insights from former and current UN employees and interns. Watch...

31 October 2024

Publication

Water Sustainability in Lebanon

This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review covers four facets of Lebanon’s water resources. The first is an overview of water sustainability issues in Lebanon, ranging from policies to politics affecting the use, treatment and distribution of water. The second section considers the question of equality...

30 October 2024

Past Event

Hopes for democratic governance: What has changed?

In 1995, an IDS special issue was published called ‘Towards Democratic Governance’. Focused mainly on the global south, the issue pointed at challenges for promoting democracy, but also reflected optimism about democracy being on the rise, and with high hopes that democracy and development...

30 October 2024

News

Social protection needs reinvention, says new Bulletin issue

Social protection needs urgent reimagining in the light of growing pressures and opportunities, according to new research published today in the IDS Bulletin. Social protection provides a lifeline for people living in poverty, and recently the world passed a milestone with more than half...

29 October 2024

Journal

Reimagining Social Protection

IDS Bulletin 55.2

Social protection features in numerous country policies and development agency strategies, as well as in several Sustainable Development Goals. However, following more than two decades of considerable expansion in policies, programmes, and research, the sector finds itself at a...

29 October 2024

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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