This paper analyses the Theory of Change underlying The Asia Foundation’s local governance reform programme in Timor-Leste. It explores the country's political and governance context and considered how well the Suku Governance Support Programme (PAGOS) responds to this. The paper highlights successes of, and tensions within, the programme approaches to state-society relations. ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Function versus form in public sector reform
This book chapter aims to broaden the options for public sector reform. It explores micro-level initiatives that aim to support the emergence of institutions capable of fulfilling governance expectations. One approach is to focus on comprehensive reforms along Weberian principles with trickle-down principles. The other is more incremental via targeted efforts and ...» more
State of the industry 2014: Mobile financial services for the unbanked
Now available in over 60% of developing markets, mobile financial services (MFS) are firmly established in the financial sectors of the majority of the developing world and are increasingly being used to increase access to low-cost financial services including payments, transfers, insurance, credit and savings. This report outlines 2014 trends in availability, accessibility and ...» more
Men, masculinities, and changing power
The world is still far from achieving equality between women and men, but by many measures—including health, education, political participation, and income— it is closer to it than it was 20 years ago. This discussion paper draws on examples of various initiatives and research from around the world that illustrate global progress on men's engagement in gender equality in ...» more
Cash transfers and temptation goods: a review of global evidence
Cash transfers improve education and health outcomes and alleviate poverty in various contexts. This study finds that concerns that poor households will use transfers to buy alcohol, tobacco, or other "temptation goods" are unfounded. There is clear evidence that transfers are not consistently used for alcohol or tobacco consumption across different contexts and types of cash ...» more