European Union Development Cooperation

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals’ call to ‘leave no one behind’ has helped to highlight the importance of investing in inclusive services for persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Evidence on the experiences of young Ethiopians with disabilities remains weak. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from 2017 to 2018, this article explores the educational, bodily integrity and psychosocial outcomes of adolescents with different impairment types (visual, hearing and physical) in rural and urban communities. Our findings indicate that young people with disabilities face intersecting barriers to inclusive education, heightened vulnerability to gender- and age-based violence, and increased psychosocial distress compared to peers without disabilities. Implications of these findings for policy and programming, include: the pressing need for specialised training and mentoring of education and other service providers; investments in support network...

Since 2000 after the unrestricted of Indonesian mandarin education, once again, mandarin got the attention of the Indonesian people. Some of Indonesian schools even start to establish mandarin lesson as its foreign language required course or its foreign language optional course. Becouse of mandarin ever resrricted for more than 30 years, so that is not so easy to establish the mandarin lesson once again, the lack of professional mandarin teacher and the lack of mandarin lesson material, makes Indonesian mandarin education still can't develop well. The low qualities of Indonesian mandarin education, make its student still can't meet the need of Indonesia for the qualified mandarin spoken demand. The research will survey the mandarin teachers and students of the following three Indonesian middle schools: Harapan Bangsa School, Pilar Bangsa School and Santa Ursula School, to understand the real condition of Indonesian middle schools mandarin education, to analyze the connection between the attitude of the mandarin teachers and students toward mandarin education and HSK, even the effect of HSK toward the Indonesian middle schools mandarin learning.

Given the importance of the household as a resource allocation mechanism, considerable interest exists in its efficiency. Most of the non-experimental evidence for inefficiency comes from West African farm households in which husbands and wives pursue separate productive activities. Using experiments, we test for efficiency of spouses' resource allocation decisions in a range of household types. In North India, we selected households that are unified, in northern Nigeria households characterised by separate spheres of economic decision making. Our other sites occupy carefully selected intermediate positions on the spectrum from unitary to separate-spheres household types. We find that, the more separate is decision making in real life, the less efficient is resource allocation in the experiments. Moreover, female control of resource allocation tends to lower efficiency, in contrast to male control. The exception is a site in northern Nigeria where female control of resource allocation is well established.

Ghana's economy does not operate in isolation. Forces beyond its borders, often referred to as exogenous factors, play a powerful role in shaping everyday life, from the price of fuel to the cost of food. This article explores how global commodity prices, exchange rate movements, international interest rates, technological changes, climate patterns, geopolitical tensions and pandemics influence economic outcomes in Ghana. Using real world examples such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, the article explains these complex forces in simple terms and argues that while Ghana cannot control them, it can better prepare for their effects.

Feminist institutionalism is a variant of new institutionalism that focuses on the interplay between formal and informal institutions and the gendered nature of institutions and has been used to study gender dynamics in parliamentary assemblies. The contribution of the article is twofold. Theoretically, it sets out the building blocks, conceptual components and key assumptions of feminist institutionalism and examines the ways in which it differs from other strands of new institutionalism. It demonstrates the range of empirical applications of FI and its potential for future studies of parliamentary assemblies. Furthermore, it contributes to the methodological discussion by showing that while feminist institutionalist research has predominantly used qualitative methods, there is also potential for using quantitative methods to address the questions posed by feminist institutionalist scholars. K e y w o r d s: feminist institutionalism, new institutionalism, gender, legislatures, European Parliament, quantitative methodology.

Economic shocks-including recessions, commodity price collapses, and inflationary pressures-disproportionately affect low-income communities by eroding household assets, diminishing social protection coverage, and deepening preexisting vulnerabilities. This study examines how economic shocks translate into heightened social vulnerability for lowincome households in Indonesia, a middle-income country characterized by persistent inequality and an evolving social protection architecture. Drawing on a mixed-methods design that integrates secondary panel data from the National Socioeconomic Survey (SUSENAS 2019-2024) with qualitative interviews conducted across three purposively selected urban and peri-urban sites (Surabaya, Medan, and Kupang), the research employs a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) framework adapted for the Indonesian context. Quantitative analysis reveals that households in the lowest income quintile experienced a 34.7% increase in multidimensional vulnerability scores following the 2020 COVID-19-induced economic shock, a trajectory that had not fully reversed by 2023. Qualitative findings underscore three compounding mechanisms: the erosion of informal safety nets, exclusion from formal social assistance due to administrative barriers, and genderdifferentiated impacts that placed a disproportionate burden on women-headed households. The study advances a theoretical model of shock-induced vulnerability amplification, offering policy implications for strengthening adaptive social protection systems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

This paper develops the Economics of Belonging as a structural extension of the capability approach, integrating insights from institutional economics, social choice theory, mechanism design, and modern game theory. While the capability approach significantly expanded the evaluative space of economics beyond income and utility, it remains largely grounded in methodological individualism. Recent developments within the capability literature increasingly recognise the importance of institutions, participation, and social embeddedness, yet they still tend to treat these as contextual conditions rather than as the foundational structure of economic analysis. perspective. The Economics of Belonging provides such a perspective, offering a unified framework for understanding coordination, inequality, demand, and development.

This study examines how blended finance mechanisms, specifically first-loss capital tranches, technical assistance grants, and guarantee structures mobilize private capital for United States infrastructure projects. Despite growing interest in blended finance, policymakers and investors lack empirical clarity on how specific risk-sharing instruments influence financing outcomes. Through systematic analysis of secondary data from 30 credible sources published between 2024 and 2025, the research evaluates how these mechanisms affect debt pricing spreads, due diligence costs, and institutional investor participation rates. The findings suggest that first-loss capital reduces senior debt spreads by 100-200 basis points and lowers cost of capital by 1.2-2.0 percentage points; technical assistance grants reduce preparation costs by 20-35% and accelerate financial close by 25-40%; and guarantee structures increase institutional investor participation by 35-55%. However, no single mechanism dominates across all contexts. Effectiveness depends on project stage, investor type, regulatory environment, and provider credibility. The study provides policymakers with evidence-based guidance for designing standardized public-private partnership frameworks and dedicated infrastructure finance units. Ultimately, blended finance mechanisms achieve optimal results when deployed in combination within predictable regulatory environments that align with institutional investor requirements.

The contribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to economic growth remains a central issue in development economics, particularly for emerging economies that are undergoing macroeconomic adjustment. This study examines the relationship between FDI and Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by conducting a comparative assessment of Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLSR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Annual data spanning 1996-2023 were obtained from the World Bank and OECD national accounts databases. Model performance was evaluated using out-of-sample Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R²) to distinguish predictive accuracy from explanatory power. The results indicate that FDI exerts a statistically significant and positive effect on GDP growth under the OLSR framework, with an R² value of 0.47, suggesting moderate explanatory strength. In contrast, the SVR model , implemented with a radial basis function kernel and tuned via cross-validation, achieved a marginally lower prediction error (RMSE = 0.754) , but lower explanatory power (R² = 0.32). These findings highlight a clear trade-off between predictive accuracy and interpretability. The study emphasizes that the single-predictor specification serves a methodological purpose rather than a comprehensive economic representation, and that results should be interpreted within this constrained framework. Generally, the analysis shows the complementary roles of machine learning and econometric approaches in applied economic modeling and provides evidence-based guidance for model selection in macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis in Ghana.

In the contemporary international system, economic factors are considered crucial and determining elements of government foreign policy. Through the development of trade, investment, energy, transit, and financial cooperation, economic diplomacy serves as a fundamental tool for safeguarding national interests and promoting development. Afghanistan, due to its strategic geographic location, natural resources, and regional connectivity, possesses a unique potential for economic diplomacy and can serve as a central hub for economic cooperation through trade corridors, transit networks, and regional economic projects. Nevertheless, longstanding economic challenges, infrastructural limitations, and political fluctuations have constrained the effective implementation of economic diplomacy. This study examines the significance, opportunities, and limitations of economic diplomacy in the foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. It employs a descriptive–analytical methodology, utilizing library and documentary sources, and is grounded in the theoretical framework of government-oriented economic statecraft. The research question focuses on the role of the Islamic Emirate’s economic diplomacy in foreign policy and the associated opportunities and challenges. The study hypothesizes that while the Islamic Emirate holds significant opportunities to safeguard national interests and promote regional economic cooperation, its effectiveness is limited by the lack of international recognition, financial constraints, administrative capacity, and regional political conditions. Findings indicate that Afghanistan possesses extensive economic opportunities due to its geographic location, natural resources, transit routes, and regional linkages. If these opportunities are properly managed, the country can transition from a peripheral role to an active participant in regional and international economic interactions.

This paper analyses in what extent innovation contributes to the productivity premium of exporters. We start by performing non parametric tests on TFP distributions on different groups of firms characterized by their export and innovation behavior. We show that the TFP distributions of exporters and innovators stochastically dominate those of non exporters and of non innovators, respectively. We pursue with OLS regressions and show that the export premium, defined as the productivity advantage of exporters over non-exporters, is robust to the introduction of innovation statistics. We conclude that export and innovation each have specific mechanisms in their relationship with productivity. The contribution of innovation abilities remains however small: once controlled for the firm size, its ownership, and its innovation abilities, the residual export premium is still around 3%. Two additional results are found. First, both process and product innovations are associated with higher productivity when process innovation is strictly defined. Second, when accounting for distance to export markets, the export premium remains significant for global exporters only, whereas that of intra-Europe exporters vanishes. From these findings, we conclude that, beyond innovative abilities and mere size advantage, specific export-related competencies, such as specific managerial competencies or specific human capital, takes an important part in the success of Global exporters.

This paper analyses in what extent innovation contributes to the productivity premium of exporters. We start by performing non parametric tests on TFP distributions on different groups of firms characterized by their export and innovation behavior. We show that the TFP distributions of exporters and innovators stochastically dominate those of non exporters and of non innovators, respectively. We pursue with OLS regressions and show that the export premium, defined as the productivity advantage of exporters over non-exporters, is robust to the introduction of innovation statistics. We conclude that export and innovation each have specific mechanisms in their relationship with productivity. The contribution of innovation abilities remains however small: once controlled for the firm size, its ownership, and its innovation abilities, the residual export premium is still around 3%. Two additional results are found. First, both process and product innovations are associated with higher productivity when process innovation is strictly defined. Second, when accounting for distance to export markets, the export premium remains significant for global exporters only, whereas that of intra-Europe exporters vanishes. From these findings, we conclude that, beyond innovative abilities and mere size advantage, specific export-related competencies, such as specific managerial competencies or specific human capital, takes an important part in the success of Global exporters.

This paper analyses to what extent innovation contributes to the productivity advantage of exporters over their non exporting counterparts, namely the export premium. Using a dataset of French firms data, we start by performing non parametric tests on TFP distributions for different groups of firms characterized by their export and innovation behavior. We show that the TFP distributions of exporters and innovators stochastically dominate those of non exporters and of non innovators, respectively. We pursue with OLS regressions and show that the export premium is robust to the introduction of innovation statistics. However, the contribution of innovation abilities to the export premium is small: once controlled for the size, ownership, and innovation abilities of the firm, the residual export premium is still around 3%. One additional result is found that is coherent with the hypothesis of sunk costs to enter foreign markets. When accounting for distance to export markets, the export premium remains significant for global exporters only, whereas the productivity advantage of intra-Europe exporters vanishes. From these findings, we conclude that, beyond innovative abilities and mere size advantage, specific export-related competencies, such as specific managerial competencies or specific human capital, take an important part in explaining the outperformance of French firms that export out of Europe.

This paper analyses in what extent innovation contributes to the productivity premium of exporters. We start by performing non parametric tests on TFP distributions on different groups of firms characterized by their export and innovation behavior. We show that the TFP distributions of exporters and innovators stochastically dominate those of non exporters and of non innovators, respectively. We pursue with OLS regressions and show that the export premium, defined as the productivity advantage of exporters over non-exporters, is robust to the introduction of innovation statistics. We conclude that export and innovation each have specific mechanisms in their relationship with productivity. The contribution of innovation abilities remains however small: once controlled for the firm size, its ownership, and its innovation abilities, the residual export premium is still around 3%. Two additional results are found. First, both process and product innovations are associated with higher productivity when process innovation is strictly defined. Second, when accounting for distance to export markets, the export premium remains significant for global exporters only, whereas that of intra-Europe exporters vanishes. From these findings, we conclude that, beyond innovative abilities and mere size advantage, specific export-related competencies, such as specific managerial competencies or specific human capital, takes an important part in the success of Global exporters.

This paper analyses in what extent innovation contributes to the productivity premium of exporters. We start by performing non parametric tests on TFP distributions on different groups of firms characterized by their export and innovation behavior. We show that the TFP distributions of exporters and innovators stochastically dominate those of non exporters and of non innovators, respectively. We pursue with OLS regressions and show that the export premium, defined as the productivity advantage of exporters over non-exporters, is robust to the introduction of innovation statistics. We conclude that export and innovation each have specific mechanisms in their relationship with productivity. The contribution of innovation abilities remains however small: once controlled for the firm size, its ownership, and its innovation abilities, the residual export premium is still around 3%. Two additional results are found. First, both process and product innovations are associated with higher pr...

It has been observed that Africa is one of the fastest-urbanising continents. Over the last two decades, many rural areas in Central Kenya have witnessed considerable shifts towards urbanisation, which has affected many rural areas. This study explores the impacts of rapid urbanisation in rural Chaka town and its environs in Central Kenya, thus triggering the transformation of the entire landscape. The aim is to highlight the drivers shaping the transition to urbanisation in the case study town area. Using a qualitative research approach that used rapid rural appraisal techniques like transect walks and key informant interviews to collect data, the study reveals a trend towards increased land sub-division and real estate development in the Chaka area, which poses a challenge to traditional agricultural practices and an increase in non-farm activities, which indicates diversification of livelihood strategies by the residents as agricultural practices continue to face challenges, thus causing frustrations with farm-based activities and a decline in productivity. These findings reveal that the changing socioeconomic and environmental landscape in Chaka aligns to some extent with regional and national trends in the complex interactions between urban and rural areas. These findings imply that there is a need for policy interventions focusing on sustainable and balanced agricultural and urban development, the need for integrated land use planning, and skill development for liveable urban living in emerging urban and transformed rural areas.

Equity-based financing lies at the heart of Islamic banking's ethical promise, yet its real-world adoption remains limited. This study brings together findings from 47 empirical studies and 129 correlations to explore what drives or hinders stakeholder engagement with contracts like Mushārakah and Mudarabah. Through meta-analysis, three consistent predictors emerge: risk perception, regulatory support, and institutional trust. Risk perception shows an evident negative influence, especially in developing economies where institutional safeguards are weaker. In contrast, strong regulatory frameworks and trust in financial institutions play enabling roles, encouraging adoption across diverse contexts. Moderator analysis reveals that economic context significantly shapes how risk is perceived, while contract type does not appear to alter adoption patterns. Robustness checks, including sensitivity analysis and Fail-Safe Number tests, confirm the reliability of these findings. Taken together, the results offer both theoretical clarity and practical direction, highlighting the need for stronger governance, transparent communication, and trust-building strategies to unlock the full potential of equity-based finance in Islamic banking. Future research should explore cultural and behavioural dimensions and track how adoption evolves as institutions mature.

While ethnographic research can be carried out from a variety of political positionings, we plead for a 'critical reformist' stance, on the intersection of pure, applied and radical anthropology. We trace this positioning back to Max Weber and Karl Popper, for whom the essence of social science was to critically accompany policy processes by identifying all intended and unintended outcomes of policies. We also situate it in relation to various strands of contemporary policy ethnography. Our approach starts from the conception of a policy, reform, intervention or project as a space of confrontation of a variety of strategic groups at all stages in the policy cycle. The principle of epistemic equity tells us to give equal weight to all actors' representations and practices. We also argue that the dimension of 'going public' needs to be given as much weight as the dimensions of fieldwork and writing in ethnographic research. The conception of social engineering as a political arena will also help researchers to think more strategically about how and when to engage with different types of publics in different stages of the research process. Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. Winston S. Churchill 1 Creative activity is our great need; but criticism, self-criticism, is the road to its release.

This study investigates the role of insurance in economic growth on a panel of 48 countries in Africa for the period 2004–2014. The research question the study seeks to answer is: what thresholds of insurance penetration positively affect economic growth in Africa? The empirical evidence is based on the Generalized Method of Moments. Life insurance increases economic growth while the effect of non-life insurance is not significant. Increasing both life insurance and non-life insurance has negative net effects on economic growth. From an extended analytical exercise, 4.149% of life insurance premium (% of GDP) is the minimum critical mass required for life insurance to positively affect economic prosperity, while 1.805% of non-life insurance premium (% of GDP) is the minimum threshold required for non-life insurance to positively affect economic prosperity. Thresholds are also provided from the Hansen (J Econom 93(2):345–368, 1999) Panel Threshold Regression technique using a balance...

While people with disabilities are often targeted as key beneficiaries of social protection, there is little evidence available on their participation in existing programmes. This study uses mixed methods to explore access to disability-targeted and non-targeted social protection programmes in Nepal, particularly the District of Tanahun. In total, 31% of people with disabilities had Disability Identification Cards, which entitles them to a range of different social protection benefits depending on the card level, including disability-targeted social assistance (received by 13% of people with disabilities). Overall, 37% of people with disabilities received social assistance, which was higher than for people without disabilities (21%). The most commonly accessed form of social assistance was the Old Age Allowance, which had universally high coverage amongst both people with and without disabilities. Uptake of disability-targeted social protection entitlements other than social assista...

The paper examines how the socioeconomic developments of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh are influenced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An equal weighted composite index based on a quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed on 489 women entrepreneurs borrowing SME loans to meet the objectives. The study employed methodologies such as OLS, quantile regression, bootstrapped regression, standardised beta regression, hierarchical regression, and moderation effects to test the hypotheses and check the robustness. Results indicate that access to loans and adequacy of loans have a positive influence on the socioeconomic development of women entrepreneurs. On the other hand, tight credit checks, excessive collateral requirements and lack of institutional support are growth inhibitors, particularly among lowincome individuals. The study has significant policy implications in that SME loans are significantly contributing to the socioeconomic welfare of the women entrepreneurs, and Loan factors impact mostly, while both age and education imply the variations across the benefits received from the SME loans. This paper adds value to the literature by examining the dynamics between financial inclusion and institutional support in determining the success of women entrepreneurs by leveraging rigorous econometric modelling. The study paves the way to further research and policy development with a focus on the absorption of SME benefits by optimising loan factors and institutional factors, similar to other emerging economies.

This study examines effect of FDI on economic growth in the developing economies. The study uses regression tools to examine why few emerging markets have significantly benefited from Foreign Direct Investment and hence grown at a higher rate while few have been laggards. The study also analyses spillover effects of FDI in pharmaceutical sector of India wherein the effect of FDI on domestic firms has been studied and compared using the productivity measure ROCE. On the basis of regression results and macroeconomic data predications policy recommendations have been made. In this paper, a collective analysis has been done on the effect of FDI on growth of the following countries: India, Vietnam, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, China and Indonesia. With GDP chosen as the growth parameter, the impact of FDI on growth has been evaluated using regression tools for these countries. Consequently, the reasons for variations in the results of various countries have then been studied and compiled. Then, a study of FDI and spillover effects in the pharmaceutical industry in India has been done. The productivity efficiency of domestic and foreign firms over the years has been plotted and compared to demonstrate the spillover effect. The results obtained are attached in the report.

This study examines effect of FDI on economic growth in the developing economies. The study uses regression tools to examine why few emerging markets have significantly benefited from Foreign Direct Investment and hence grown at a higher rate while few have been laggards. The study also analyses spillover effects of FDI in pharmaceutical sector of India wherein the effect of FDI on domestic firms has been studied and compared using the productivity measure ROCE. On the basis of regression results and macroeconomic data predications policy recommendations have been made. In this paper, a collective analysis has been done on the effect of FDI on growth of the following countries: India, Vietnam, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, China and Indonesia. With GDP chosen as the growth parameter, the impact of FDI on growth has been evaluated using regression tools for these countries. Consequently, the reasons for variations in the results of various countries have then been studied and compiled. T...

Tractor breakdown is a major problem affecting crop production operations at Tamale, Ghana. A survey of 123 tractor owners and operators in Tamale was conducted to identify their personal profile, their perception about the causes of tractor breakdown, and the major constraints affecting tractor maintenance and repair. Data was collected through questionnaire administration. The mean age of all the respondents was 43 years. About 62% of the respondents had low level educational background. Approximately 21% of the tractor owners and operators had no formal education while 22% had 'Makaranta' level education. The remaining 19% of the respondents had primary level school education. The majority of the operators (93%) learnt how to operate the tractor from other tractor operators rather than through a formal tractor operator training school. Tractor owners and operators perceived the causes of tractor breakdown to be careless tractor operation, inadequate maintenance, aged tractors, poor roads to farms, use of fake spare parts for tractor maintenance and repair, and obstacles to tractor operation in the farms including stumps, roots, and buried stones. The major constraints affecting tractor maintenance and repair were found to be high cost of genuine spare parts, poor educational background of owners and operators, and lack of financial credit. The study draws attention to the need for the provision of professional training in tractor operation, financial credit and after-sales-service to tractor owners and operators.

La política de desarrollo es uno de los instrumentos más relevantes de la acción exterior de la Unión Europea (UE), de su condición de actor y de su identidad y ascendiente como actor normativo de las relaciones internacionales. Desde los vínculos poscoloniales con África, el Caribe y el Pacífico (ACP) que explican su origen, ha transitado hacia el régimen global definido en el Tratado de Maastricht, que incorporó la reducción de la pobreza y el desarrollo sostenible como sus objetivos. Este capítulo examina la evolución histórica de esta política, sus instrumentos y recursos, y las dinámicas que la afectan: la persistencia de asimetrías poscoloniales, la asunción de metas globales, y su creciente geopolitización y financiarización. Con ello, deja atrás sus motivaciones de solidaridad y lucha contra la pobreza en favor de nuevos modelos de inversión y competencia estratégica, aún en formación.

Since the 1970s, the import of tax-free powdered milk has presented an easy solution to the growing demand for dairy products in West Africa. Recent increases in agricultural price volatility have since contributed to a renewed interest in local milk. However, while the present situation raises issues of food security, rural development and trade policy, public policy remains overly focused on the technical dimensions of dairy development. This article presents the dairy landscape of Senegal, a major regional importer of powdered milk, by considering development dynamics in light of the interactions between technical and organizational models and livestock systems, in terms of relationships with resources and environment, knowledge and social organization. Two implications are discussed: the need for effective sectoral policy to tip the balance in favour of local milk; the need to base public action on a better understanding of, and improved support for, livestock systems in all their diversity.

This paper critically reviews the debate of ‘growth and development’ since 1950 in order to place and conceptualize the term inclusive growth. The paper argues that the basic objective of inclusive growth is the smooth functioning of nation state and to avoid socio economic and political unrest and it seems that the inherent agenda is to maintain conventional economic growth

Adolescent motherhood can alter the future opportunities available to girls and the challenges they face. This article considers how adolescents' capabilities are influenced by pregnancy and motherhood, using a mixed-methods case study of Rwanda. Adolescent motherhood impacts girls' lives across multiple capabilities including education, psychosocial well-being, voice and agency, and economic empowerment. Rarely were adolescent mothers in our sample supported to return to school, for instance. Their pregnancy and motherhood were stigmatised by their families, peers, wider community and service providers. The psychosocial consequences of adolescent motherhood are significant, linked to social isolation and multifaceted stressors, including poverty. Despite recent policy and service improvements, adolescent mothers continue to be left behind.

Este artículo tiene como pretensión determinar qué impulsa a los municipios y regiones en nuestro país a tomar la decisión de planificar, implementar, ejecutar y evaluar políticas públicas de cooperación al desarrollo. Las principales variables que hemos estudiado con ese fin han sido cinco: el contexto internacional, el proceso de democratización y descentralización administrativa que vivió nuestro país, el papel jugado por la sociedad civil organizada a través del Movimiento 0.7%, la labor desempeñada por los medios de comunicación y la acción de los partidos políticos.

Introducción y metodología 1 1. Justificación del objeto de estudio. 3 1.1. Delimitación del objeto de estudio 5 1.2. Estructuración de la investigación 1.3. Fuentes utilizadas: bases documentales y bibliográficas 2. Delimitación conceptual y metodología 2.1. Delimitación conceptual 2.2. Metodología: el análisis de políticas públicas 2.2.1. Las fases de la política pública 2.3. El proceso de descentralización y su influencia en las políticas públicas. 2.3.1. El gobierno local 2.3.2. Las políticas públicas locales 2.3.3. La participación ciudadana y el ámbito local 2.4. Las relaciones entre actores en las políticas públicas 2.4.1. Las relaciones intergubernamentales. 2.4.2. El actor no gubernamental. 2.5. Aproximación al objeto de estudio. Caracteres generales de la cooperación descentralizada y municipalista Segunda parte: La cooperación descentralizada en el Estado español. 3. Marco general: La política de cooperación al desarrollo en España XVI desarrollo Cuadro 15

The success of research for development projects is of keen interest to project funders and participating researchers, and underpins project impact. This paper reports a qualitative investigation of factors identified by project researchers as affecting relative success in ten collaborative forestry research projects in Indonesia. Interviews with 33 project participants identified 30 factors that influence project success. The most frequently identified factors were scientists’ commitment and collaboration; collaborative scoping and design; funding and equipment; effective communications and networks; implementation flexibility, monitoring and review; and skills mix and time allocations. The relative success of projects was evaluated through an analysis of project records, and examination of three projects of different relative success provided evidence of relationships between relative success and the identified success factors. As most of the success factors relate to project desi...

Case study evidence suggests that exporting firms learn from their clients. But econometric evidence, mostly using exporting and TFP growth, is mixed. We use a UK panel data set with firm-level information on exporting and productivity. Our innovation is that we also have direct data on the sources of learning (in this case about new technologies). Controlling for fixed effects we have two main findings. First, we find firms who exported in the past are more likely to then report that they learnt from buyers (relative to learning from other sources). Second, firms who had learned from buyers (more than they learnt from other sources) in the past are more likely to then have productivity growth. This suggests some support for the learning-byexporting hypothesis, though is not clear whether firms deserve an exporting subsidy. *Contact: Jonathan Haskel, Queen Mary, University of London, Economics Dept, London E1 4NS, [email protected]. Financial support for this research comes from...

The contribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to economic growth remains a central issue in development economics, particularly for emerging economies that are undergoing macroeconomic adjustment. This study examines the relationship between FDI and Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by conducting a comparative assessment of Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLSR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Annual data spanning 1996-2023 were obtained from the World Bank and OECD national accounts databases. Model performance was evaluated using out-of-sample Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R²) to distinguish predictive accuracy from explanatory power. The results indicate that FDI exerts a statistically significant and positive effect on GDP growth under the OLSR framework, with an R² value of 0.47, suggesting moderate explanatory strength. In contrast, the SVR model , implemented with a radial basis function kernel and tuned via cross-validation, achieved a marginally lower prediction error (RMSE = 0.754) , but lower explanatory power (R² = 0.32). These findings highlight a clear trade-off between predictive accuracy and interpretability. The study emphasizes that the single-predictor specification serves a methodological purpose rather than a comprehensive economic representation, and that results should be interpreted within this constrained framework. Generally, the analysis shows the complementary roles of machine learning and econometric approaches in applied economic modeling and provides evidence-based guidance for model selection in macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis in Ghana.

The second Global Gateway Forum, held on 9-10 October in Brussels, was a success. It was well attended, buzzing with side meetings and discussions alongside the official agenda. If the forum confirmed one thing, it’s that Global Gateway is evolving – a necessity in today’s increasingly interconnected world.
The strategy has come a long way since its launch, yet it is still defining its identity and scope. Is it primarily an investment platform? A geopolitical instrument? Or a new form of global partnership that integrates values, strategy, and mutual accountability? In reality, it must be all of these things. The world no longer operates on single-issue agendas. Economic, environmental and security dimensions are increasingly intertwined, and the Global Gateway has the potential to offer an integrated approach that reflects this reality. The key will be for the EU to articulate and implement this vision consistently, recognise and address trade-offs and inherent tensions in this multiple agenda, ensuring that its partnerships are not perceived as one-way streets but as shared ventures built on trust and respect, which not only reflect the EU’s own interests but truly contribute to the transformational and developmental ambitions of the EU’s partners.