Our Work
Finding the best ways to meet today's development challenges requires a collaborative approach—one that leverages the insights of think tanks, researchers, and academics working in vastly different contexts all around the world. The World Bank Group and its partners established the Institute for Economic Development to forge a direct pathway from development research to improvements in people's lives.
Led by the World Bank Chief Economist and powered by the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC), the World Bank Group's arm for data and knowledge generation, the Institute seeks to catalyze informed debate and develop joint programs with its partners to find promising policy solutions. The Institute also complements the efforts of the World Bank Group Academy by helping low- and middle-income countries stay on the frontier of development data, measurement, and analytics, reducing the data and digital divides.
Mission
Ideas for Impact
The Institute for Economic Development connects producers of research and data on global development with think tanks and other researchers to find innovative solutions to development challenges. It supports the World Bank Group’s mission of becoming a Knowledge Bank by making its data and research more accessible, usable, and relevant for development impact.
Our Approach
Customized insights from the latest research
We curate research and data to tailor it to regional and country contexts with engagements that involve leading thinkers and use technology to maximize reach and scale. Start exploring >
With think tanks, researchers, and academia
We convene a global network of researchers to explore promising solutions to the most pressing development challenges and bring their ideas to the global policy debate. Engage with us >
From events, workshops, and courses
We elevate capacity among researchers, data scientists and development practitioners, supporting the efforts of the World Bank Group Academy. Browse our learning offerings >
Governance
An Advisory Board will be established to oversee the Institute.
It will be chaired by the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, and will include World Bank regional and sectoral Chief Economists, Directors from the Development Economics Vice Presidency, senior management from key partner institutions, and prominent external academics and experts in priority thematic areas.
The Board will provide strategic guidance to the Institute, endorsing thematic priorities and advising on program content and implementation. It will also support outreach and make key decisions related to the composition of the Institute's network of partners. The Institute office will serve as Secretariat to the Advisory Board.
