Publication database

Microinsurance Paper #17 presents lessons from IFFCO-TOKIO's implementation of a livestock insurance product using radio-frequency identification technology. It outlines how IFFCO-TOKIO improved value for clients through new business processes. The case shows that if administered carefully, livestock insurance has the potential to be viable with scale.

This framework guide aims to assist three stakeholder groups – investors, corporations and public policymakers – in understanding how to navigate the social enterprise and impact investing space. For each of these groups it outlines three steps: prioritising the rationale for engaging, defining a strategy, and choosing specific approaches to execute.

This article summarises Root Capital and Acumen's perspectives on programme and impact evaluation, and it's similarities to GPS which measures three dimensions of location (latitude, longitude, and elevation). It elaborates on how impact information also has three primary dimensions: type of impact—the nature of the impact(s) on each person or organisation; scale of impact—the number of people or organizations affected; and depth of impact—the amount or intensity of change experienced, per type of impact, per person affected.

This report is the first part of a three-year study on the performance of social and environmental micro enterprises, which looked at whether it is possible to determine whether and how such enterprises are making a contribution to social, environmental and economic progress within their communities; and what the enabling factors and barriers are to making that contribution. Part 1 presents the findings from the survey of 2011 SEED applicants and winners, noting any variations with previous cohorts.

Este informe presenta los resultados de la alianza AGEXPORT y la U.S. Agency for International Development en el empoderamiento económico de pequeñas y medianas empresas rurales de Guatemala a través de la generación de empleos, el encadenamiento productivo, acceso a mercados y generación de oferta productiva.

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the range of possibilities available for engaging the private sector in food security and improved nutrition at the Base of the Pyramid (“BoP”), be it via smallholders, entrepreneurs, or the actual consumers of food and food products. In this context five different business interventions for BoP ventures were identified that achieve social impact, financial sustainability and, potentially scale. Key challenges and lessons are presented with respect to barriers to growth, the scaling of processes, objectives and adequate business models. The study is based on the analysis of 16 cases and expert interviews.

This briefing document introduces the topic of value chains, the difference between traditional and modern markets and IFAD's work on value chains

This case study reviews the BioSynergy project which implements an innovative model of renewable energy generation, taking advantage of biomass residues and Jatropha seedcake for local production of biogas, for electricity generation. The project aims to advance national development strategies and policy priorities of local organisations, while strengthening local capacities to assure sustainability in the long term.

This report reviews how affordable private schools 'APS' try to strike a balance between education quality and fees charged. It outlines the strong correlation found between the fees that APS charge and the student learning outcome and it presents some of the performance indicators of the APS sector such as student learning outcome, teaching quality, financial performance, enrolment, fees and facilities based on the assessment data.

This report provides a comprehensive exploration of Africa’s employment landscape; it reviews employment patterns across countries and sectors, and assesses prospects for job creation to 2020. It identifies barriers to creating jobs that African leaders must tackle and it suggests how policy makers and business leaders can develop strategies for boosting job growth.