The IERD uses participatory methods and multi-stakeholder processes to develop policy that works for local livelihoods. We are committed to maintaining excellence throughout all our programme activities but are looking to achieve greater synergies between similar areas. To this end we harness broader groups to help generate further innovation and new ways of working.
- Natural Resources – sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, dry lands and forestry.
- Climate Change - mitigation, adaptation and vulnerability.
- Human Settlements –urban environment, rural-urban links.
- Sustainable Markets – environment economics, corporate responsibility, regoverning markets, trade.
- Governance – law, planning, global governance.
- Poverty alleviation - urban and rural poverty alleviation, strengthening small scale producers, and family farms.
Within these broad areas we have also identified a series of common themes to provide greater focus and map our work onto areas of greatest priority
1. Institutions
- Strengthening institutions and processes for better governance
- Bringing global development goals down to earth
2. Equitable Property Rights
- Strengthening local rights to land and natural resources through decentralized structures
- Water as a source of life, health and productivity
3. Sustainable Markets
- Trade and Markets for equitable development
- Strengthening corporate responsibility for social and environmental gains
4. Strengthening Voices of the Weak
- Monitoring the impact of government policy