Esther Duflo: "A collective investment in innovative solutions"

"The past thirty years have seen remarkable progress in the fight against poverty. Yet major challenges still lie ahead: more than fifty countries are either in a debt crisis or at serious risk of entering one, and the climate crisis is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest. Addressing these challenges requires a more effective form of international cooperation—one built on risk-sharing mechanisms, the strengthening of global public goods, and a collective investment in innovative solutions. In this context, international cooperation and partnership policies have a crucial role to play by enabling the emergence of new approaches; and, when a breakthrough solution demonstrates proven impact, by encouraging its adoption and rollout in other settings to maximize its reach and effectiveness.

This is precisely the approach taken by the Fund for Innovation in Development. Created following the recommendations of the report on “Modernizing France’s Development Partnership Policy” led by Member of Parliament Hervé Berville, FID launched its first call for proposals in 2021. With a call for proposals open throughout the year, it has already supported nearly one hundred projects aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. The use of rigorous impact evaluation methodologies has made it possible to identify the most promising projects for broader implementation—ensuring public funding is used effectively to support these initiatives. The path charted by FID is one that deserves to grow—and to inspire us all!"

DOWNLOAD THE FID ACTIVITY REPORT