Local research ecosystems
Economic research has the greatest impact when it is shaped close to the policy challenges it seeks to address.
Our impact in numbers
Over the past decade, IGC’s investment in local research talent has built a growing community of economists shaping evidence-based policy across developing countries. Local researcher-led projects have resulted in:
- 50% of all IGC projects involve at least one local researcher
- 450 research projects commissioned
- 416 PIs funded in 30 countries
- 155 policy reforms influenced
- 62 publications in peer-reviewed journals
About
At the IGC, we work with universities, researchers, and policymakers to strengthen economics teaching and research in the countries where we operate. Our programmes support researchers based in-country and strengthen the institutions that train researchers, generate ideas, and connect evidence to policy decisions. Fellowships, mentorship, and university partnerships support training, research development, and access to funding. They also connect emerging researchers to international academic networks and improve access to data, collaboration, and long-term research partnerships.
Training and mentorship help early ideas take shape. Proposal development and grants help researchers move projects forward. Partnerships with universities strengthen teaching, supervision, and research environments so that capability grows beyond individual projects. Together, these elements create clear pathways for researchers to produce rigorous work, contribute to policy debates, and remain part of international research communities.
Recent projects by local researchers
Rebuilding trust in local governance: Can community-based cash transfers and deliberation rebuild trust in local leadership in conflict-affected settings?
Project
Incentivising source-sorting of domestic waste: An experiment with Cox's Bazar municipality
Project
Preferences, norms, or cost in polluting energy usage: Experimental evidence from Ethiopia
Project
Climate change, floods and food security nexus: Emerging disaster and disaster preparedness in the Upper East Region, Ghana
Project
Clean energy transition and options for hedging fiscal policy against climate change damaging externalities: An Environmental DSGE model for Uganda
Project
Circularity and sustainability in the waste value chain in Ghana: Resilience, opportunities, and barriers
Project
Sensitising and promoting direct taxation to boost revenue and tackle inequality in Bangladesh
Project
Improving SME financial performance in Ghana: A randomised control trial using retooling in working capital management practices
Project
E-Bookkeeping: Measuring small firm behaviour
Collection
Environmental and economic impacts of agrivoltaics in Bangladesh
Project
Mission driven intrinsic motivation and performance of public workers in Pakistan
Project
Female voting behaviour in Pakistan
Project