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The toolkit argues that while Savings Groups consistently improve women's economic independence, achieving broader social empowerment requires integrated gender programming and more holistic measurement systems. It proposes a framework covering seven domains: economic independence, decision-making, confidence and self-worth, voice and leadership, time use, mobility, and health. The document provides guidance on developing Theories of Change for different intervention types, selecting standardized and customized indicators, and using data segmentation to understand how empowerment varies across different groups of women.

The document describes the Caribbean's approach to a green economy, defined by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) as aiming for long-term prosperity through equitable benefit distribution and ecological management. It highlights the increasing importance of resilience following the 2017 hurricanes and the emerging, though still conceptually unclear, 'blue economy' framework promoted by international actors. Key sectoral efforts focus on renewable energy (solar, geothermal, and wind) and greening the tourism industry. The text details various multi-stakeholder and intergovernmental initiatives, including the Caribbean Green Economy Action Learning Group, the Santa Cruz Declaration on Local Green Enterprises, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States' (OECS) commitment to a strategic action plan for an inclusive green economy. Specific national examples include Grenada's 2016 Blue Growth Coastal Master Plan and the development of a Local Green-Blue Enterprise Radar in Trinidad and Tobago.

The global tea market is growing, with retail value projected to reach USD 73 billion by 2024, driven by demand in Asia and the Pacific. While VSS-compliant tea grew significantly from 2.4% of the market in 2008 to 19.4% in 2016, the sector faces challenges including climate change, poor labour conditions, and a highly concentrated value chain. The report identifies significant opportunities to expand sustainable production in China, India, and Sri Lanka, as well as in LHDCs like Burundi and Uganda.

The document summarizes a survey of 72 respondents from 54 developing countries, highlighting a trend toward modernizing investment treaties to close litigation loopholes and align with domestic laws. It reports that 21 countries are renegotiating or terminating existing treaties, and 24 have been subject to treaty-based investment disputes that influenced their policy approach. The survey also tracks the use of model investment treaties and the level of involvement from Parliaments and political leaders in the negotiation process.

The report details a March 2019 workshop aimed at addressing the opportunities and challenges of Voluntary Sustainability Certification (VSC) in Kenya's tea industry. Key findings highlight that while VSCs improve market access and environmental practices, they impose prohibitive costs and create 'certification fatigue' due to a multiplicity of standards. The document recommends the development of a national benchmarked standard, similar to the Kenya Flower Council's model, and the creation of a multistakeholder platform to implement a collective action plan.

The report details a multistakeholder workshop focused on the impact of Voluntary Sustainability Certification (VSC) on Rwanda's coffee sector. It identifies significant barriers for smallholder farmers, including high annual audit costs, a lack of local certification bodies, and a mismatch between the supply of certified coffee and market demand. The document proposes solutions such as the development of a national 'Rwanda GAP' standard, the translation of training manuals into Kinyarwanda, and the creation of a multistakeholder platform for data sharing and coordination to improve the economic viability and sustainability of the sector.

The report examines the global sugarcane market, noting that while demand is growing in Asia and Africa, it is stagnating in developed countries due to health concerns. It highlights the rise of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs), which grew at a compound annual growth rate of about 52% from 2008 to 2016, though sales have not kept pace with production. The document identifies significant sustainability risks, including land grabbing, forced labor, and greenhouse gas emissions from field burning, and suggests that expanding VSSs in low human development countries like Sudan and Uganda could catalyze development benefits.

The document argues that the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) complements the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention by providing modern mechanisms for burden-sharing and regional cooperation. It highlights the challenges facing the Convention, including a rise in forced returns (refoulement) and the pressure of hosting 7.4 million refugees and 17.8 million internally displaced persons in Africa. The brief suggests that the GCR's Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) can reinvigorate African solidarity and promote durable solutions through a 'whole of society' approach involving the private sector and international financial institutions.

The document argues that private sector engagement is essential for successful National Adaptation Planning (NAP) because businesses and investors drive economic growth and provide the necessary financing, products, and services for climate resilience. It identifies four key enabling factors—information sharing, financing, institutional arrangements, and capacity building—that governments must address to overcome barriers to engagement. The guide outlines specific entry points for the private sector across the three phases of the NAP process: planning (consensus building and priority setting), implementation (climate-proofing operations and public-private partnerships), and monitoring and evaluation (designing metrics and reporting outcomes).

The document argues that private sector engagement is essential for climate adaptation in developing countries, as businesses and investors drive economic growth and provide necessary products, services, and financing. It identifies four key enabling factors—information exchange, financing, institutional arrangements, and capacity development—that governments must address to overcome barriers to private sector participation. The guide outlines specific entry points for engagement across the three phases of the NAP process: planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). It also provides case studies from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Jamaica to illustrate successful public-private collaborations in adaptation.

The document argues that private sector actors—including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and private financiers—are essential for achieving climate adaptation goals due to their role in economic growth and capital flow. It identifies four key enabling factors for engagement: information sharing, financing, institutional arrangements, and capacity building. The brief outlines specific entry points for private sector involvement across the three phases of the NAP process (planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation) and provides case studies from countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, and Jamaica to illustrate successful public-private collaboration in climate adaptation.

The document examines the transition in Sudan after the ousting of Omar al-Bashir, highlighting the tension between the civilian-led Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and the military-led Transitional Military Council (TMC). It argues that while regime change occurred on paper, the 'Islamic security state' remains influential. The author outlines five scenarios ranging from a return to the status quo or civil war to successful systemic reform, emphasizing that economic recovery and security sector transformation are critical for success.

The report examines how 38 African countries are measuring and reporting on SDG 16. It finds high political commitment but significant gaps in financial resources and data quality. It highlights innovations in 'data sovereignty' through national statistical offices (NSOs) and the use of multi-stakeholder partnerships to overcome data gaps.

The 2019 SEforALL Charrettes brought together diverse stakeholders in Amsterdam to address systemic barriers to SDG7. The resulting report outlines proposed solutions across four key areas: creating a viable private sector market for clean cooking, improving data and evidence for electrification, bridging the finance gap in high-impact countries, and increasing risk appetite for last-mile electricity access.

The report finds that while electricity financing reached a record $36 billion in 2017, only about one-third benefited households, and clean cooking finance plummeted by 73% compared to 2015-2016. It highlights severe underinvestment in Sub-Saharan Africa and for vulnerable groups, while suggesting innovative financial mechanisms like results-based financing and crowdfunding to bridge the gap.

The report finds that while electricity finance reached a record USD 36 billion in 2017, it remains far below the USD 51 billion annual requirement for universal household access, with only one-third benefiting residential users. Clean cooking finance saw a severe decline, dropping 73 percent to USD 32 million in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa remains critically under-invested, and the report highlights a lack of targeted funding for vulnerable groups, particularly women and displaced persons.

Uganda's energy access landscape is characterized by a 62% electricity access deficit and a high reliance on biomass for cooking (95%). To reach universal access by 2030, the report forecasts a need for USD 2.3 billion for off-grid electricity and improved cooking solutions. This includes USD 1.43 billion for stand-alone solar, USD 51 million for mini-grids, and USD 193 million for industrial cookstove enterprises, alongside significant affordability gap financing for consumers. Key barriers include unclear regulatory frameworks for mini-grids, a lack of quality standards for solar products, and high upfront costs for clean cooking technologies.

The world is making progress toward SDG 7 but is not on track to meet 2030 targets at current ambition levels. While electricity access has expanded significantly, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Kenya, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces a massive deficit. Clean cooking access is lagging due to population growth, and while renewable energy and energy efficiency are improving, they remain below the required rates to meet 2030 goals. Achieving these targets will require a substantial increase in annual investments across all three areas.

Finance for energy access in 20 high-impact countries remains significantly below the levels required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 by 2030. While electricity finance reached a peak of USD 36 billion in 2017, only one-third benefited residential users. Clean cooking finance saw a dramatic 73% drop in 2017 compared to the 2015-16 average. The report highlights a critical under-investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and a reliance on large-scale grid projects over decentralized solutions. It also examines the specific barriers faced by women and displaced persons and explores innovative financing mechanisms like Result Based Financing and securitization to bridge the investment gap.

The Land Accelerator, supported by Germany's BMZ and the DOEN Foundation, provides technical knowledge and capital to entrepreneurs restoring degraded land. The 2019 Demo Day featured 14 African entrepreneurs from 8 countries presenting businesses focused on sustainable food, land use, and climate resilience.