Pro Poor Policy

This theme discusses the importance of policy makers (and other actors) having a differentiated understanding of who is poor and where they are. It explains that this contextual knowledge must be coupled with an understanding of poverty dynamics, if policy is to be effective in tackling poverty and creating an enabling environment for pro-poor growth. This means that there must be accurate data and analysis at the national and sub-national level that explains why people are poor (poverty drivers), what keeps them in poverty (poverty maintainers) and what kind of policies and interventions might support movement out of poverty (poverty interrupters). The theme then examines the range of policies that might be considered pro-poor and highlights some of the challenges in policy formation and implementation.

Under More on Pro-Poor Policy, a discussion paper and selected annotated bibliography on pro-poor policy are available.

In Experience and Practice, we share a series of interviews with SDC staff on their experiences with supporting pro-poor policy initiatives, and contributing to policy dialogue in a pro-poor manner.

Under Further Reading and Links, we provide a selected list of additional resources.

Issues related to pro-poor policy are also being discussed in our Blog.

Your comments and questions are most welcome, please feel free to contact us.