Practices: Economic Growth
Economic growth and rural development are critical in the fight against poverty.
Almost two-thirds of the world's population lives on less than $2 per day and roughly 70 per cent of poor people live in rural areas. Improving prospects for economic growth and rural livelihoods is central to the fight against poverty. Policies that provide a good environment for business, investors and trade, infrastructure, access to and information about markets and the availability of financial services are critical factors underlying economic growth. Growth is closely linked to governance, health, education and the environment.
SI works globally to strengthen programs in economic growth, poverty reduction and rural livelihoods. Our approach develops the capacity of rural people and other key groups to shape their future and to improve livelihoods.
Range of Services
- Rural Livelihoods-strengthening programs, policies and organizations to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty.
- Macroeconomic Policies for Growth-supporting policy and institutional reform for macroeconomic stability, private sector growth, and a social safety net for the poor.
- Strengthening Financial Services-strengthening financial sector policies, regulations and institutions, including microfinance, in support of growth.
- PROJECT details
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Support for Economic Growth and Institutional Reform—Financial Sector (SEGIR-FS) USAID, 2004-09
The purpose of SEGIR-FS is to promote financial sector development and reform in developing countries as a means to economic growth. The shared ceiling of the contract is $1 billion. As a member of the IBM Consortium SI provides consulting services to strengthen commercial banking systems; support financial, regulatory and monetary reform; develop capital markets; encourage broad-based participation in the financial sector; and strengthen microfinance. SI contributes a wide range of financial sector technical support and consulting services to support this contract drawing on its extensive pool of financial experts. Learn how to access SI services as part of the SEGIR-FS contract.
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Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Alleviation and Economic Institutions and Analysis (MACRO) II: USAID, 2004-09
The purpose of this global program is to help developing countries overcome economic, policy and institutional constraints to economic growth. The shared ceiling for the contract is $2.4 billion. As a member of the IBM SEGIR MACRO II consortium SI draws on its extensive pool of experts to support fiscal reform and tax administration; budget policy and process improvement; poverty reduction strategies, income distribution analysis; labor, energy, telecommunications and transportation economics; regional economic integration, customs unions, free trade areas; and environmental and energy policy. Learn how to access SI services as part of the SEGIR-Macro II contract.
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Afghanistan Alternative Livelihoods Program: USAID, 2005-09
For many years, poppy and opium production has been a vital part of Afghanistan's economy and rural livelihoods. SI is supporting DAI in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province to promote alternative livelihoods and reduce reliance on poppy production. The $ 100 million program introduces high-value crops that can be sold domestically and internationally, improves access to microfinance, strengthens small enterprises, works with government officials to reform public policies, and manages essential infrastructure and public works projects. SI established the performance monitoring and evaluation system for the large, politically sensitive project and provides two full-time M&E staff as part of the project team.
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Croatia: Performance Monitoring for Enhancing Small and Medium Enterprise Performance (ESP) Project, 2004-2008 USAID
The ESP project, implemented by DAI, aims to trigger job creation by increasing the global competitiveness of Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SI developed ESP's Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (MEP), the MEP Operations Manual. The Operations Manual translates the structural features of the MEP into clear actions for assessing ESP performance. It draws on a baseline study of over 1400 SMEs and provides information related to investments, exports, revenues and job creation of the targeted firms.This information is used by ESP to improve project performance and to track results of ESP interventions.
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Strengthening Financial Sector Projects: World Bank, 2000-04
SI provided project design and technical monitoring and evaluation advisory services to Bank teams working to improve the quality of financial sector projects and programs. The advisory services led to measurable improvements in project quality at entry (project design), a key determinant of project effectiveness. Several projects that SI supported were recognized by the Bank as being "good practice" examples of project design. Projects that SI supported include: Russian Financial Sector Reform; Russia Capital Market Development; DRC Transparency and Accountability; Mali Financial Services; Pakistan Financial Sector Management; and Ghana Financial Sector Reform.
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Strengthening Rural Livelihoods Projects: World Bank 2001-04
SI provided project design and technical monitoring and evaluation advisory services to Bank teams working to improve the design of rural livelihoods projects and programs. The advisory services led to measurable improvements in project quality at entry (project design), a key determinant of project effectiveness. Projects that SI supported include: Indonesia Kecamatan Development; Mindinao Rural Development; Lesotho Agricultural Policy and Agricultural Producers; Senegal Agricultural Producers; and Madagascar Rural Development.