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Gender Equality

Advancing Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Development

Gender inequality shapes access to livelihoods, resources, opportunities, institutions and decision-making. RIDF examines gender as a cross-cutting dimension of development and seeks to strengthen approaches that promote women's agency, economic participation, dignity and inclusion.

  • Women's empowerment
  • Gender and livelihoods
  • Women in informal economies
  • Gender-responsive development
  • Gender and climate resilience
  • Intersectionality
  • Women's participation and agency
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Urban & Rural Development

Understanding Development Across Changing Landscapes

Urbanisation and rural transformation are reshaping livelihoods, communities and access to opportunities. RIDF examines the social, economic, spatial and environmental dimensions of these transformations, with particular attention to inequality, informality and community resilience.

  • Inclusive urbanisation
  • Rural development
  • Urban inequality
  • Informal settlements
  • Basic services
  • Community resilience
  • Urban-rural linkages
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Informal Economy, Livelihoods & Social Inclusion

Making Informal Economies Visible. Strengthening Livelihood Security.

Informal workers and enterprises play a vital role in economies and communities, yet often face insecurity, limited social protection and inadequate institutional recognition. RIDF seeks to understand informal economies and support pathways towards secure livelihoods and greater recognition.

  • Street vendors
  • Home-based workers
  • Gig and platform workers
  • Women's informal work
  • Livelihood security
  • Social protection
  • Financial inclusion
  • Digital inclusion
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Informal Waste Ecosystems

Connecting Environmental Sustainability with Livelihoods and Inclusion

Informal waste workers are an important yet often under-recognised part of urban waste and resource recovery systems. RIDF explores the social, economic and environmental dimensions of informal waste ecosystems and their potential contribution to inclusive circular economies.

  • Informal waste sector
  • Inclusion of informal workers
  • Resource recovery
  • Women in waste
  • Livelihoods and resource circularity
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Inclusive waste governance
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Ongoing Research

Explore our ongoing studies and collaborative research projects.

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