Who
we are
The lab's purpose, as originally envisioned by one of its key founders, the renowned French economist Daniel Cohen, is to create a think tank that leverages strong economic analysis along with a diverse range of partnerships and networks to address critical development issues and amplify the voice of low-income countries in the process.
About Us
The Finance for Development Lab is an independent and non-partisan economics think tank dedicated to building a fairer and more effective international financial system. It seeks to improve the quantity and quality of development finance through rigorous economic analysis and innovative, pragmatic solutions to key issues.
Acting as a hub for policy discussions, the Lab partners with think tanks, researchers, and other key stakeholders across the Global South to generate constructive and innovative policy proposals. It engages with relevant decision-makers across various geographies, institutions, and decision-making bodies to support the implementation of policy solutions and contribute to global policy decisions whenever necessary and possible. Additionally, it will develop comprehensive country programs.
The Lab is housed at the CEPREMAP, a leading French research institute located within the Paris School of Economics. It is funded by a variety of independent philanthropic organizations.
Our Work
We believe that tackling fundamental issues in development finance can lead to targeted, practical, and innovative policy solutions.
This approach is designed to promote focused advocacy with selected technical partners and policymakers to minimize disruptions, optimize resources, and foster progress, even in a difficult political or multilateral context.
Furthermore, we believe it is essential to enhance this practical, technical, and focused approach by engaging in active discussions and research on future “big ideas” and paradigms. Nurturing an open, creative, and long-term dialogue on these significant issues will not only maintain a baseline level of support for development economics but may also spark ideas that can be advocated and implemented when the timing is right.
Our research focuses on three main pillars:
1. FLOWS & DEBT
We are committed to a robust analysis of international financial flows and debt from a country perspective. By focusing on country-level data and insights, we aim to consolidate and contextualize financial information, enabling the development of effective data-driven policies.
2. Institutions & Bilaterals
Global institutions are under scrutiny regarding their ability to finance development and climate initiatives. By identifying gaps and challenges, we can foster discussions to pave the way for reform. Likewise, the role of traditional bilateral donors is diminishing, making it essential to analyze strategic bilateral relationships to create new, constructive partnerships.
3. Strategies, Norms & Rules
This pillar focuses on macroeconomic and macrofinancial strategies to enhance sustainable development outcomes. The evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape results in changing macroeconomic strategies and norms, particularly in areas like capital account management and central bank regulations. The discourse often swings between extremes. Clearly defining these issues and proposing targeted solutions can help create a pragmatic “new normal” that prioritizes feasibility and promotes development outcomes.