Items tagged:
Informal economy
-
Putting informal food systems at the centre of sustainable diets
A new report from IIED and Hivos calls for a rethink about how sustainable diets can be achieved in low-income countries, with informal food systems central to that goal
-
Addressing gendered and other inequalities will be central to COVID-19 recovery
In the latest in our series on lessons from the coronavirus pandemic, we look at how COVID-19 has increased gender inequality and the need to tackle multiple forms of disadvantage in the global South
-
How COVID-19 is impacting and changing East Africa’s agri-food systems
In this fourth report on emerging lessons from COVID-19, we look at the pandemic's complex impacts on East African food systems and highlight the need for an inclusive policy response working closely with informal providers.
-
Informal food markets offer diverse food products and crucial livelihood opportunities
An IIED discussion paper highlights the importance of informal food markets in Zambia
-
Unsmart, unsafe cities for informal workers: effective policy change will need better data
How can urban health policy be effective when the data on residents’ and workers’ leading causes of premature death, illness and injury is inadequate? A new project with partners in India seeks to fill the data gaps and support informal workers’ well-being
-
Addressing risks facing informal workers
IIED and partners are assessing the occupational, environmental and public health risks faced by workers in the informal economy. This project will also explore responses to these risks with workers in India, while also helping to build their resilience to climate change
-
Mixing more voices into food policy
How an innovative 'Food Change Lab' in Uganda is bringing together a range of voices to shape a food system that works for all, including ordinary citizens
-
Informal economy and green growth conference pinpoints need for new policy agenda
Participants at a London conference on informal economies agreed on the need for a new framework that links informality and the green growth agenda
-
Formalising the informal
What does it mean to 'formalise' the informal sector? Discussions at an informality event with our partners revealed some of the barriers to successful formalisation and examples of what works
-
Development frontiers
A workshop organised by research funders highlighted how innovative solutions must be found for the 'wicked' problems we face today
-
Photo exhibition highlights varied and vibrant informal economies
Photos exhibited at a recent conference on informal economies and green growth show people working in the informal sector in eight countries
-
Green grows the informal economy
An event on the informal sector and the green economy established six principles for a new policy agenda on inclusive green growth
-
Lessons from the informal sector
Could the informal economy provide the way forward for the green growth agenda? Ahead of an IIED event on 25 February, Mao Amis looks at lessons that can be learned
-
Does green growth miss the majority?
On 25 February IIED is hosting an event on the informal sector – we want to better understand how it can contribute to creating a greener and more inclusive economy
-
The other half of the future – business' informal sector
Small businesses, not least those in the informal sector, have a crucial role to play in sustainable development, as an IIED conference will explore.
-
The informal economy and sustainable development
The informal economy – broadly defined as economic activity that is not subject to government regulation or taxation – sustains a large part of the world's workforce. It is a diverse, complex and growing area of activity
-
The biggest 'private sector': what place for the informal economy in green and inclusive growth?
IIED and partners are hosting a conference in London on 25 February that is designed to help build a new policy agenda to integrate the informal economy with inclusive green growth and sustainable development
-
Workers in informal economy need say in global environmental agendas
The green economy will benefit from better relations between urban authorities and informal workers and enterprises. Guest blogger Donald Brown examines ways to achieve this
-
Lessons in informality from Kenya's dairy sector
Informal markets are at the heart of many developing country economies, but how can authorities work with the informal sector? A training and certification scheme for Kenya's informal dairy sector provides valuable policy lessons
-
Showcasing innovations in policy approaches to informality
IIED's Shaping Sustainable Markets initiative has published seven briefing papers that showcase innovations – and challenges – in developing inclusive policy approaches for the informal economy
-
Rush to urbanise leaves food vendors out in the rain
The drive to organise and improve towns and cities in Uganda is leaving food vendors out in the rain, warns Chris Busiinge from the Kabarole Research and Resource Centre
-
China-Africa trade and investment: benefiting Africa's rural informal economy?
Understanding Africa's informal economy – where people work with/for small-scale Chinese businesses – is critical for assessing China's impact and making policy for the rural poor
-
What do street food, charcoal, gold, mobile phones and milk have in common?
Informality may be responsible for many things produced, processed or sold by people who operate outside formal rules and regulations, but small markets add up to big business
-
Resilient Dynamism? An informal word with leaders meeting in Davos
Political and business leaders gathering in Davos will discuss ‘resilient dynamism’, but their distrust of informal economies is a missed opportunity.
-
The informal economy: route into or out of poverty?
A paper published by the IIED raises questions about the link between the informal economy and sustainable development
-
A rubbish heap of issues
In belt-tightening times, it’s not surprising that consumption often drops. The UK is a case in point. Happily, consumers there are wasting less too. The Waste and Recycling Action Programme (WRAP) reported that in the UK, households throw away half a tonne of food-related waste each year (or a third of all household food purchased). This costs the UK approximately £12 billion a year in disposal costs alone – over £1000 per household.
-
Recovery “kick off”? Of football, sausages and lost opportunities
When it’s done, the global tally could be 50 million. So says the International Labour Organization (ILO) about job losses from this recession.In richer countries, that has meant growing pressure on central government resources, as formal jobs have been lost and draws on government benefits have increased. Estimates include 8 million jobs lost in the US and 1.3 million in the UK.In developing countries, people are more likely to juggle several jobs than in the developed world. This means underemployment
-
The hidden byway to recovery?
The ‘slump as opportunity’ concept is alive and well in UK government. Ed Miliband, the country’s Energy and Climate Change Minister, said today that recession will not deflect government efforts to cut carbon emissions and move to a low-carbon economy.
