We’re pleased to be partnering with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to sponsor a new research initiative aimed at understanding the impact of development finance on private sector development.
Through the Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) initiative we are calling for exploratory research which will inform our understanding of the importance of investment in private sector growth, and help to build a rigorous evidence base for our work.
Application to this call is now open. Please note that a one-page expression of interest (EOI) is required before applications are submitted. EOIs must be submitted by 1 November 2020 to pedl@cepr.org and should clearly state the relevance of the research to CDC Group.
Areas of interest include the effect of investment on private sector growth; the characteristics of high-growth firms and how they impact on their sectors and localities; supporting decent work and gender; and production and distribution of broader inclusive products and services.
Researchers will ideally partner with specific CDC investments, or alternatively work with other businesses sufficiently comparable, to build our understanding of the importance of investment in private sector growth. We are especially interested in expanding the role of data science to create new understanding and improve decision-making.
Issues of particular relevance include:
- What is the impact of larger-scale investment on private sector development in Africa and South Asia?
- What types of firms create stable, inclusive, productive employment that allow workers to build human capital through working; when and why does this job creation happen? What do we know about displacement effects and the gig economy?
- What is the impact of infrastructure investments on private sector productivity? What is the impact on citizens’ lives? See this evidence review for our impact framework and some open questions.
- What types of financial services have most impact for business productivity and individual wellbeing? See this evidence review for our impact framework and some open questions.
- How can private sector investment support ‘Paris Alignment’ through net zero economies, Just Transition, and adaptation and resilience?
Researchers wishing to discuss any issues not apparent from our website are encouraged to arrange a slot at two ‘open-house’ sessions with our evaluations team on 16 October and 23 October. Please email Alex MacGillivray amacgillivray@bii.co.uk to book a slot.
Find out more about the initiative on PEDL’s website
