Research
Socio-economic development
Socio-economic development, and more specifically the equal distribution of economic growth, is seen as an important factor in the process of creating stability in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Socio-economic reconstruction activities can for instance focus on restoring and delivering basic social services in post-conflict situations, as well as on the revival of the economy and on generating employment by developing the private sector.
The quality of macro-economic policies, institutions and governance significantly influence economic growth. In this sense, donor efforts to build government capacity and (re)build state institutions are essential, as governments in post-conflict and fragile states often lack the capacity to stimulate the economy and the financial means to deliver basic services. The socio-economic development research linked to these issues is integrated in the CRU’s governance, peacebuilding and statebuilding cluster.
Furthermore, socio-economic reconstruction efforts should also aim to complement efforts to create security and stability, specifically disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes. Economic growth creates employment opportunities, an essential element for the successful reintegration of ex-combatants in a post-conflict society. The socio-economic development research linked to these issues is integrated in the CRU’s security and stability cluster.
CRU research in this field focuses on identifying the specific challenges of socio-economic development in fragile and conflict-affected societies, the socio-economic component of the reintegration phase of DDR processes, and on the development of policy instruments to support economic growth in post-conflict societies and to involve the private sector in this process.