Our manifesto for a thriving world

We launched our new manifesto for a thriving world at the?recent Barbara Ward Lecture , which featured?Mafalda Duarte, executive director of the Green Climate Fund. IIED chair Tara Shine introduced the manifesto, discussing?that achieving our mission means we cannot continue doing more of the same. We're challenging ourselves to take a bold new direction while retaining the best of what makes us unique.

Following a year of review and dialogue, our manifesto presents our refreshed approach to impact. It identifies four blockers holding back positive change?and six propositions where we have a unique track record and inclusive way of working?that can help to weaken these?blockers, enabling progress to flourish.

The crises we face as a planet are existential and inextricably linked. A new, dynamic approach to unlocking positive process is needed more than ever. We believe that it is within the messy business of experimentation, collaboration and learning that the best solutions to the biggest problems lie.

Read our manifesto and let us know what you think .

News and insights

REDAA grant call: scaling up locally led restoration

REDAA’s second grant call aimed at scaling up locally-led restoration is now open! This funding round introduces larger-sized 'programme grants' of ￡1–1.5 million. Up to nine grants will be awarded to locally-led partnerships working in specific sub-regions and environments in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Find out more about the grant and eligibility criteria . Subscribe to the REDAA newsletter to access more info and resources on the grant call . ?

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CBA18 conference – that's a wrap!

More than 300 practitioners, grassroots representatives, local and national policymakers and donors from over 50 countries gathered in Arusha, Tanzania last week to discuss how community-based and locally led adaptation can contribute to a climate-resilient future. Check out the highlights from that fantastic event . ?

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Can the net-zero transition offer a new dawn for Africa’s industrialisation?

Mineral-rich countries in Africa are looking towards bilateral and regional strategic partnerships as a way to benefit from the net-zero transition. But how can they use the quest for critical minerals for the region’s sustainable development? Senior researcher Rose Mosi discusses in a new insight . ?

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Rapid response mechanisms: proactive legal support for communities

Rapid response mechanisms (RRMs) are a new, proactive legal approach designed to provide legal and technical support to communities facing nascent conflicts related to land-based investments. RRMs provide preventative rather than reactive legal help the moment a conflict arises or community members’ rights are threatened, rather than trying to reverse rights violations once they have already occurred. Find out more in the insight by senior associate Rachael Knight . ?

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Is overconsumption the ‘elephant in the room’ in the energy transition?

With ‘green energy’ technologies promoted as the panacea for climate change, and in view of the threats on society and environment associated with the mining of transition minerals, should a shift away from overconsumption and towards the circular economy be considered as an alternative solution to combat climate change? Associate Eric Bisil reflects in a recent insight . ?

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AgroBiodiversity Conservation: the ABC of climate resilience

A recent international agrobiodiversity conference in Nepal brought together smallholder farmers and other stakeholders from 32 countries. Here, IIED’s Duncan Macqueen reflects on the event, explaining why agrobiodiversity conservation is the first essential step towards climate resilience and outlining three key action points for decision makers. Read the insight .

Urban legend: one man, 50 years, countless seeds of hope

A distinguished panel of speakers from around the world came together this week?to reflect on what has been learned from decades of experience working in urban development.?The discussion celebrated the?achievements of David Satterthwaite , an esteemed researcher for IIED, professor, author, co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and recipient of the Volvo Environment Prize who has dedicated more than 50 years to delivering positive change in informal settlements and climate change adaptation.

And in a new long read, we reflect on David's?legacy. He has spent half a century emulating IIED founder Barbara Ward’s attitude and her approach to sustainable development, and has planted many seeds of hope. You can find them in the pages of?Environment and Urbanization, in his many books and blog posts, and in the minds of countless students, researchers, government officials and development practitioners. Read the long read now for more on his indelible legacy .

New publications

Manifesto for a thriving world: IIED’s connected ambition, 2024 and beyond

Following a year of review and dialogue, this manifesto presents IIED's refreshed approach to impact. This new approach to working on problems, in equitable learning partnerships, focuses on specific propositions to progress towards a thriving world.? This manifesto is the product of a collective effort of IIED staff, associates, trustees and friends based on 12 months of listening, conversations and co-designing. This is a live document and one we know will change based on the insights we generate, inputs from the community and the changing context we work in. Download the manifesto . ?

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Rapid response mechanisms: supporting resolution of community-investor conflicts related to land-based investments

Often, approaches to investment-related land rights violations are reactive, rather than proactive and preventative: legal support is usually provided?after?communities have been negatively impacted, displaced or evicted. In such cases, legal support has a limited chance of reversing the damage caused. To address this challenge, rapid response mechanisms (RRMs) are designed to ensure that community members can reach out for legal and technical help the moment a conflict arises, and/or as soon as their rights are threatened or violated — and for advocates to respond quickly, in order to preventatively resolve a potential conflict?before?major harm has been done and?before?it escalates. Download the toolkit .