Economic development in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) : Topic guide.
Draws on programme lessons and case studies to explore which types of economic development interventions are effective
Abstract
The complex and reinforcing relationship between fragility/conflict and economic development is widely recognised, though not entirely understood. While trend observations suggest that low economic growth increases the risk of conflict and conflict reduces economic growth, this is not the case everywhere. Even where it does hold, the characteristics of economic growth and conflict differ widely across contexts. This Topic Guide draws on lessons from programmes and case studies to explore which types of economic development interventions can be effective in FCAS and which factors have contributed to successes and failures.
Key lessons identified by this review include the need for economic programming to: be conflict sensitive; acknowledge trade-offs between economic and peacebuilding/statebuilding objectives; focus on gender and horizontal group impacts; generate stronger evidence; and incorporate statebuilding and peacebuilding objectives into programme design and M&E frameworks. Tools for addressing these challenges are identified, as are key evidence gaps to inform further research.
This Topic Guide focuses on the most fragile countries and countries where there are pockets of fragility. It focuses in particular on Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
Citation
McIntosh, K.; Buckley, J. Economic development in fragile and conflict-affected states: Topic guide. Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2015) 49 pp.
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