Skip to main content

Green Economies and Infrastructure

SDDirect provides cutting edge social development expertise to economic development and climate programmes.

We work with a range of stakeholders in the public and private sectors worldwide providing gender mainstreaming, institutional strengthening, and technical guidance.

We work in sectors ranging from climate resilience, inclusive urban development & infrastructure, women’s economic empowerment, to digital inclusion.

Busy streets of New Delhi, India.

What is Green Economies and Infrastructure? 

 

As the climate crisis deepens, novel technologies, expertise, and new energy sources are emerging, paving the way for ‘green economies.’ 

Beyond curbing emissions and adapting to climate shifts, a green economy combines climate resilience with social and economic benefits necessary for human progress. However, neglecting to draw from past lessons and knowledge could lead us to unintentionally recreate the imbalanced power dynamics that drive exclusion within these emerging green economies. 

Our vision for green economies is one where environmental sustainability is achieved alongside inclusive prosperity and a just transition, where no one is left behind.

Image of wind turbines.

Our work in this area

 

We address the challenge of creating inclusive and prosperous green economies by collaborating with stakeholders in the public and private sectors worldwide. We bring innovative social development practice and experience in gender mainstreaming, programme delivery, research, policy and technical guidance across economic development and climate resilience programmes.   

We promote inclusive cities and infrastructure as catalysts for shared progress. Women's economic empowerment forms a foundational pillar, fostering a level playing field of opportunities. Our work on digital inclusion ensures that the benefits of green economies reach every corner of society. We support the development of high-integrity voluntary carbon crediting where benefits extend meaningfully to women. We also support the private sector on a diverse range of social development issues, ranging from advice on gender-based violence and safeguarding risks; to supporting gender-lens and social impact investing.  

Across all areas, we support disability inclusion in economic development and climate change programming, ensuring that attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers that people with disabilities face are overcome. 

“SDDirect are clearly very professional in their engagement with clients and stakeholders, checking in for feedback and conscientiously addressing any concerns, directions and supporting clients’ vision. They do this while balancing delivering technical guidance and input.“
EBRD
“Evaluators found an increase in the proportion of programmes achieving the Fund’s minimum standards on design and internal capability from over 50% in 2018/19 to over 80% by 2020/21.”
FCDO’s Annual Evaluation Report (2020-2021) where the Prosperity Fund, supported by SDDIrect, was highlighted as a case study.

If you would like to hear more about our work on Green Economies and Infrastructure (GEI), please reach out to Faraz Hassan, Head of Green Economies and Infrastructure Portfolio, Faraz@sddirect.org.uk.

Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Programme

The WOW programme is a 5-year flagship FCDO-funded programme that aims to improve women’s economic opportunities through business interventions in supply chains and economic development programmes. WOW is being delivered by a consortium of global experts at the cutting edge of women’s economic empowerment research, programme design, and delivery—including PwC, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), CARE International, the University of Manchester, and Social Development Direct. 

European Investment Bank (EIB): Gender Resources and Helpdesk

SDDirect provide technical assistance to the European Investment Bank (EIB) supporting them realise their aspirations on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through sector operations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).  

Working closely with the Environment, Climate and Social Office (ESCO), SDDirect produced seven sector-specific, gender resource packs in:

Prevention of, and Response to, Gender-Based Violence in Settings Affected by Natural Disasters

This guidance note offers an introduction to how disasters are likely to increase as a result of climate change and the disproprotionate effect they have on women, particularly in terms of increasing their vulnerability to GBV. It highlights lessons from disasters in Asia and Pacific region on how to improve GBV preparedness, response and recovery.

Subscribe to Green Economies and Infrastructure