Program areas at ISE
Country analysis and engagement - ise works through its country stocktaking program to understand country context. In particular countries, ise works with country partners to understand country context and to design and support implementation of policies and programs on regional and local levels to fit that context. Ise's approach relies on understanding systems across government functions, promoting growth and opportunity through fostering inclusive markets, and enhancing citizen inclusion and empowerment by expanding the space for civil society. Ise teams also provide advisory support in key instruments including country-wide programs particularly in support to inclusive, large-scale community-driven development programs; and in thematic areas, including education and training; public finance; and social policy and participatory development.
Networks partnership and dissemination - ise organizes and participates in events on governance and development in order to create networks and partnerships across fields relevant to ise's work and creates products to disseminate ideas and develop thinking governance issues. Audiences include, but are not limited to, government, business, and civil society, as well as the general public.
Insight and analysis - ise's analysis is informed by years of studying and working with civic actors, public sector and firms on governance and market building, across a wide range of contexts. Ise conducts research and provides inputs to policy through several programs and research areas including:- "State of the State" dialogue and research to identify gains, lessons learned and emerging trends relating to the social compact and public trust in institutions.- strengthening democratic governance and rule of law and inclusive market building.- "re-examining the terms of aid" to review how international partners can address the sovereignty gap and renew international cooperation for development.- governance aspects of issues of global cooperation including pandemic, climate and security.- regional connectivity to analyze, understand, forecast and advance regional relationships to support improved exchange, increased connectivity, better governance, and more prosperity and stability.- successful transitions to map pathways from poverty to prosperity and from autocracy to democracy in the developing world over the course of the past century to extract relevant lessons for today's challenges. This allows for comparison across time and context.
Leadership development programs - ise's engage, educate, and train programs advance approaches to equip new generation leaders and managers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to create inclusive policies and accountable and effective institutions. The program consists of a variety of education and training initiatives, including: i) tailored leadership programs and retreats for senior leaders and managers across private, public, and civil society sectors in countries and regions navigating processes of transformation and reform; ii) managing governance reform and transformation courses to equip professionals with tools and skills to accelerate institutional reforms and better serve citizens; iii) ise's nextgen fellows program to enhance practical skills and substantive expertise for the next generation of global leaders, while establishing connections for them across focus areas and regions; and iv) specialized trainings that enhance the practical skills and substantive knowledge of leaders and managers on sector specific functions of governance.
Methods and tools - ise has developed methods and tools for supporting reform design and implementation, including a participatory process that empowers citizens to weigh in on challenges and solutions at local, regional and national levels, helping to identify key issues and building consensus across diverse groups; a set of "how-to" sourcebooks for the creation of specific functions of the State; asset mapping to review the available assets in a country that can be leveraged for reform agendas; national accountability systems; and development policy notes based on the best practices we learn from our country work.