Studies

Over four decades of research, data, and analysis has established the primacy of the informal economy in international development, but we have not yet seen informality mainstreamed into development initiatives. In this report, we call for a movement to do just that. After years of implementing programs aimed at moving informality beyond the domain of white papers and development forums and into the mainstream of development initiatives, we at the Global Fairness Initiative seek to provide the core knowledge and tools that international development practitioners require to address the unique conditions of informal workers. This report is a first step in that process, providing foundational knowledge, relevant case studies, and actionable next steps for donors and implementers to begin to mainstream informality in their work.