Saleema Vellani

This book presents a heavily disruptive, inclusive, and resilient solution to Africa’s wide-ranging food security challenges. Specifically, it assesses the benefits and costs of using the frontier agriculture technologies to create a circular food economy in Africa, particularly in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV)-affected countries. This book focuses on two types of frontier agriculture technologies: insect farming and hydroponic crop farming. Both technologies quickly produce… Show more

This book presents a heavily disruptive, inclusive, and resilient solution to Africa’s wide-ranging food security challenges. Specifically, it assesses the benefits and costs of using the frontier agriculture technologies to create a circular food economy in Africa, particularly in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV)-affected countries. This book focuses on two types of frontier agriculture technologies: insect farming and hydroponic crop farming. Both technologies quickly produce nutritious human food and animal feed and could provide tremendous health, social, economic, climatic, environmental, and food security benefits in Africa. Insect and hydroponic farming can create a circular food economy by reusing society’s organic waste, including agricultural and certain industrial waste, to produce foods for humans, fish, and livestock without the need for vast amounts of arable land or water resources. This book finds that frontier agriculture is a viable complement to conventional agriculture in Africa and could meet many of the continent’s social, economic, environmental, and food security challenges. The book also shows that frontier agriculture can be economically competitive with conventional agriculture in the resource constrained environments of African FCV countries, while generating a fraction of the climate and environmental damage. These frontier agriculture technologies show great potential for growth and scalability as the market is rapidly increasing for novel protein sources from farmed insects and for nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables from hydroponic crops. Show less

COVID-19 triggered the beginning of a new era of work embedded with remote jobs, flexible hours, and, surprisingly, a lot more empathy for our fellow employees and employers. As a result, an increasing number of people are quitting their 9-5 jobs to pursue their passions, reinvent themselves, and reposition their brands and businesses to align closer with their values.

Eating locally and developing an urban-rural food continuum is a rapidly evolving movement. Integration of multi-functional forms of agriculture — termed New Forms of Urban Agriculture (NFUA) — could be a critical adaptation to strengthen this movement and for the sustainability of cities. While NFUA have the potential to provide diverse benefits to humans, there is an absence of reliable empirical data on the scale and impact of urban resources on NFUA which has a profound impact on its… Show more

Eating locally and developing an urban-rural food continuum is a rapidly evolving movement. Integration of multi-functional forms of agriculture — termed New Forms of Urban Agriculture (NFUA) — could be a critical adaptation to strengthen this movement and for the sustainability of cities. While NFUA have the potential to provide diverse benefits to humans, there is an absence of reliable empirical data on the scale and impact of urban resources on NFUA which has a profound impact on its viability and sustainability. In this book, we shift the focus from how NFUA have potential to impact the urban system to investigate the potential impacts of urban resources on NFUA. Access to resources such as land, labour, clean water, etc. are major barriers to enter the agriculture sector in the cities; the chapters in this book present projects or reviews recent research on the subject from different cities in the world. This edited volume offers critical perspectives from diverse disciplines, expertise, and geographic contexts related to the actual and potential role of urban and peri-urban agriculture in the developing and the developed world where forms, adaptations, and debates around NFUA vary distinctively. Using and urban ecology lens, the book provides empirical evidence of how urban resources of land, water/waste, labour, and biodiversity impact NFUA. Show less

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the World Bank Group's (WBG) engagement in contexts of fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV). Its central message is that the Bank will only achieve its Twin Goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity by increasing its impact in FCV settings. The report provides insight on how Global Practices and teams across the WBG are tackling these critical challenges, with a focus on cross-cutting fragility issues that appear… Show more

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the World Bank Group's (WBG) engagement in contexts of fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV). Its central message is that the Bank will only achieve its Twin Goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity by increasing its impact in FCV settings. The report provides insight on how Global Practices and teams across the WBG are tackling these critical challenges, with a focus on cross-cutting fragility issues that appear across geographies and sectors. In cooperation with local, national and global partners, the WBG aims to strengthen its strategic and operational approach to FCV situations to enhance impact on the ground. Show less

Many refugee and host populations are food insecure and poor. In Syria, the UNICEF screened 2.3 million children and pregnant and lactating women for acute malnutrition. In Jordan, approximately half of the refugee households have reported reducing the quantity and quality of food and skipping meals. In Lebanon, only 7 percent of refugees are living with acceptable levels of food security. This report shows that frontier agriculture, which comprises climate-smart and water saving agriculture… Show more

Many refugee and host populations are food insecure and poor. In Syria, the UNICEF screened 2.3 million children and pregnant and lactating women for acute malnutrition. In Jordan, approximately half of the refugee households have reported reducing the quantity and quality of food and skipping meals. In Lebanon, only 7 percent of refugees are living with acceptable levels of food security. This report shows that frontier agriculture, which comprises climate-smart and water saving agriculture technologies, such as hydroponics, can contribute to improve well-being, including nutritional status for farmers and groups of people that are less integrated into the labor market. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), this includes women, youth, and those who are forcibly displaced. Frontier agriculture can leverage scarce resources, such as water and arable land, and promote inclusive economic activities that increase access to nutritious food, improve livelihoods, create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, enhance skills, and build social cohesion. It can also assist with building communities and help recover from the loss of assets and from trauma of fleeing from conflicts. There is an urgency to engage with and support refugee livelihoods. Previous experiences suggest that small-scale hydroponic projects targeting vulnerable populations can be implemented rather quickly and produce meaningful results within a short timeframe. Show less

This first Annual Report reviews the past two years of OVE's work, 2013-2014. It is designed in two parts. Part I reports on OVE's recent evaluation activities and findings, on developments in the Bank's evaluation "architecture" (including management self-evaluations and OVE validations) during the year, and on management's progress in implementing agreed-upon recommendations from previous OVE evaluations. Part II highlights a special topic, seeking to put OVE's work in a broader perspective… Show more

This first Annual Report reviews the past two years of OVE's work, 2013-2014. It is designed in two parts. Part I reports on OVE's recent evaluation activities and findings, on developments in the Bank's evaluation "architecture" (including management self-evaluations and OVE validations) during the year, and on management's progress in implementing agreed-upon recommendations from previous OVE evaluations. Part II highlights a special topic, seeking to put OVE's work in a broader perspective by bringing new analysis and linking OVE's evaluation work to major themes of importance to development effectiveness. This year's themes are the Bank's core objectives of growth and poverty reduction, as specified in the Agreement for IDB¿s 9th General Capital Increase in 2010. These themes continue to be relevant for the next IDB institutional strategy, which is currently under preparation. Show less

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB, or the Bank) conducted an impact evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the main types of programs through which IDB has supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. It does not evaluate Bank projects directly or compare executing agencies, models of interventions or financial instruments, but rather examines the effectiveness of Bank-supported approaches… Show more

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB, or the Bank) conducted an impact evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the main types of programs through which IDB has supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. It does not evaluate Bank projects directly or compare executing agencies, models of interventions or financial instruments, but rather examines the effectiveness of Bank-supported approaches implemented by Brazilian institutions. Focusing only on the manufacturing sector, the evaluation examines how these interventions affect firm-level outcomes such as employment, real wages, exports, and patent and trademark registration. The overarching objective of this exercise is to provide insight for future strategic decisions regarding the targeting of Bank support to SMEs. The rationale for choosing Brazil is threefold: (i) Brazil represents 55% of IDB's total volume of lending supporting SMEs; (ii) country stakeholders have collected data from SMEs exposed to various types of interventions, allowing OVE to learn about alternative SME support approaches in Brazil; and (iii) OVE has access to comprehensive datasets that facilitate impact evaluations in Brazil. OVE bases the analysis on the types of interventions the Bank has supported in Brazil, compares the results they achieved, and draws lessons for the future design and implementation of SME support strategies and budget allocation considerations. Show less

This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) with Honduras covers the period between January 2011 and April 2014 and is the fourth occasion on which the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) has evaluated the Bank's program with the country. Previous evaluations covered the periods 1990-2000 (document RE-263), 2001-2006 (document RE-328), and 2007-2010 (document RE-390). Under the Protocol for Country Program Evaluation (document RE-348-3), the main goal of a CPE is to "provide information on Bank… Show more

This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) with Honduras covers the period between January 2011 and April 2014 and is the fourth occasion on which the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) has evaluated the Bank's program with the country. Previous evaluations covered the periods 1990-2000 (document RE-263), 2001-2006 (document RE-328), and 2007-2010 (document RE-390). Under the Protocol for Country Program Evaluation (document RE-348-3), the main goal of a CPE is to "provide information on Bank performance at the country level that is credible and useful, and that enables the incorporation of lessons and recommendations that can be used to improve the development effectiveness of the Bank's overall strategy and program of country assistance." The current country strategy (document GN-2645) was approved in November 2011 and does not coincide with the country's political cycle. President Porfirio Lobo's administration was in office from January 2010 to January 2014. IDB Management expects to submit a new country strategy to the Board of Executive Directors in December 2014. The evaluation is structured into four chapters, plus an annex. Chapter I analyzes the general context of the country. Chapter II provides a general analysis of the Bank's program between January 2011 and April 2014, with particular attention devoted to the relevance of the country strategy and an analysis of the program actually implemented. Chapter III provides a sector-based analysis of the implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of operations and of progress made toward the Bank's proposed strategic objectives. Chapter IV presents conclusions and recommendations. Show less

As part of its 2014 annual work plan, the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is preparing the Country Program Evaluation (CPE) with Honduras for the period 2011-2014. This approach paper defines the evaluation's scope. This CPE therefore aims to analyze the Bank's relationship with the country, taking an independent and comprehensive view, particularly the program's relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability, including both financial and nonfinancial products offered by the… Show more

As part of its 2014 annual work plan, the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is preparing the Country Program Evaluation (CPE) with Honduras for the period 2011-2014. This approach paper defines the evaluation's scope. This CPE therefore aims to analyze the Bank's relationship with the country, taking an independent and comprehensive view, particularly the program's relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability, including both financial and nonfinancial products offered by the Bank during the period under analysis. This evaluation is intended as an input to the new country strategy document being prepared by the Bank. This CPE is the fourth OVE evaluation of the Bank's program with Honduras. Past evaluations covered the periods 1990-2000 (document RE-263), 2001-2006 (document RE-328), and 2007-2010 (document RE-390). This CPE covers the Bank's program for the period 2011-2014. Show less

The Realignment defined four key goals to respond to a perceived loss of Bank relevance and presence in LAC: sharpening sector focus and expertise, sharpening country focus, strengthening risk- and results-based management, and enhancing institutional efficiency. To achieve these goals, it proposed adjustments to the Bank's structure, processes, and human resources and incentives which included, among other things, the introduction of a new matrix organization, the delegation of additional… Show more

The Realignment defined four key goals to respond to a perceived loss of Bank relevance and presence in LAC: sharpening sector focus and expertise, sharpening country focus, strengthening risk- and results-based management, and enhancing institutional efficiency. To achieve these goals, it proposed adjustments to the Bank's structure, processes, and human resources and incentives which included, among other things, the introduction of a new matrix organization, the delegation of additional responsibilities to country offices and project team leaders, the updating of operational and corporate processes, and changes in staffing and HR policies. This evaluation concludes that the Realignment's underlying direction toward a matrix structure and greater decentralization were appropriate, but it has not yet achieved all of its objectives. Show less

This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) for the Dominican Republic covers the period 2009-2013. The evaluation is structured into four chapters, plus annexes. Chapter I analyzes the general context in the country from two perspectives. First, the structural characteristics of the country's growth model are briefly described. Second, the main economic events during the 2009-2013 period covered by the Bank's program are described. Chapter II provides a general analysis of the Bank's program in… Show more

This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) for the Dominican Republic covers the period 2009-2013. The evaluation is structured into four chapters, plus annexes. Chapter I analyzes the general context in the country from two perspectives. First, the structural characteristics of the country's growth model are briefly described. Second, the main economic events during the 2009-2013 period covered by the Bank's program are described. Chapter II provides a general analysis of the Bank's program in 2009-2013, with particular reference to the relevance of the country strategy, together with analysis of the program actually implemented. Chapter III provides a sector-based analysis of the implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of the operations, and of the level of progress towards the Bank's proposed strategic objectives. Chapter IV presents conclusions and recommendations. Lastly, the annexes present the sectoral analyses upon which the evaluation's findings are based. Show less

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is preparing the Country Program Evaluation (CPE) for the Dominican Republic for the period 2009-2013. This approach paper defines the evaluation's scope. This CPE aims to analyze the Bank's relationship with the country, taking an independent and holistic view, assessing in particular the program's relevance and effectiveness, including both financial and nonfinancial products offered by the Bank during the period under analysis. This evaluation is… Show more

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is preparing the Country Program Evaluation (CPE) for the Dominican Republic for the period 2009-2013. This approach paper defines the evaluation's scope. This CPE aims to analyze the Bank's relationship with the country, taking an independent and holistic view, assessing in particular the program's relevance and effectiveness, including both financial and nonfinancial products offered by the Bank during the period under analysis. This evaluation is intended as input for the new strategy document the Bank is preparing. In 2009 the Bank's Management developed a new country strategy document model to equip the Bank with an effective tool to sharpen the country focus while ensuring the flexibility envisaged during the realignment process. In this framework, new guidelines were drawn up that reformulate the country strategy to emphasize the need for results-focused, risk-based programming that takes a flexible, programmatic approach and responds to the country's needs. Apart from these general principles, the most significant practical effects of the new strategy papers were: (i) separation between the country strategy, which is prepared every four years, and actual programming, which is annual; (ii) a new emphasis on sector notes; and (iii) strengthening the results matrix with specific indicators. This CPE is the third occasion on which OVE has evaluated the Bank's program with the Dominican Republic. The previous evaluations covered the periods 1991-2003 (document RE-306) and 2004-2008 (document RE-371). This CPE covers the Bank's program for 2009-2013. Show less

Following up on the IDB-9 commitments, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB, or Bank) established a new Access to Information Policy that took effect on January 1, 2011. The new policy was expected to match international best practices and to increase the overall transparency of the Bank, strengthening its governance and development effectiveness. This review assesses the extent to which the access to information reform has been fully and effectively implemented.

As all LAC countries reach near-universal primary/basic education, demand for access to higher levels
of education is growing dramatically. LAC is also approaching a point in its demographic transition
when youth aged 15-24 years will be at their highest numbers in both absolute and relative terms. If
countries are able to improve education quality now, better-educated cohorts will enhance the Region’s
human resource profile for decades to come.

This evaluation seeks to… Show more

As all LAC countries reach near-universal primary/basic education, demand for access to higher levels
of education is growing dramatically. LAC is also approaching a point in its demographic transition
when youth aged 15-24 years will be at their highest numbers in both absolute and relative terms. If
countries are able to improve education quality now, better-educated cohorts will enhance the Region’s
human resource profile for decades to come.

This evaluation seeks to determine the extent to which the Bank supported equitable access to
secondary education, improvements in secondary education quality, and reforms of education
institutions to improve management capacity. In addition, it describes the approaches taken and
examines the results obtained. Show less