The research programme was launched in 2011 by IZA and the UK Department for International Development (DFID, later the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO) to fill a gap: on labour markets in low-income countries, there was little robust evidence on which to base effective employment policy. The programme funded research projects in these countries, derived policy-relevant recommendations from them, and invested in local capacity building: through in-person and online training, conferences and workshops for doctoral students, postdocs and ministry officials, and mentoring for early-career researchers. Funds were awarded competitively: across six calls for proposals, more than 550 applications were received and 74 projects funded, with a further 14 funded under a special call on the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematically, the work focused on labour market policy, education and gender, often in the form of randomised field experiments, in some cases with follow-up surveys many years after the intervention. From 2019, the focus was on women’s employment opportunities. Crucial throughout was the path from evidence to policy. Findings were not only published academically but also prepared as policy briefs for decision-makers. More than 95 have appeared, alongside synthesis papers and a continuous exchange with governments and international organisations. Prof. Caliendo co-initiated the programme in his then role as IZA Director of Research and has supported it in various capacities since, serving on its management group from the outset. Programme activities will be concluded by the end of 2026.
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