Sustainable Economic Development
As a knowledge institute, KIT compiles, analyses and develops new knowledge on sustainable economic development. We conduct front-runner research on rising global issues such as food security, youth employment, value chain development in the agricultural sector, and financial inclusion.
This enables us to broker grounded and actionable knowledge as advice to public and private sector organisations. It also enables us to bring together different development actors to support collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation. Together, this helps to improve the impact of a diversity of economic development activities.
We focus on the intersection of policy and practice in economic development
The combination of our team’s content expertise and process-related skills not only leads to better projects. It also builds competencies in project design, implementation and management.
Our support is tailor-made to the needs and context of our partners and clients. We build on their resources and knowledge, mission and values to ensure that our advice is aligned with existing initiatives, has policy relevance, and is adapted to the local context. Our approach is practical and based on action learning.
We operate at the intersection of theory and practice and between policy and implementation, translating good intentions into meaningful social and economic impact. Our professional staff combine expertise in specific content areas with the ability to offer a diverse suite of advisory services, including policy and programme design and implementation, evaluation and impact assessment, capacity building through coaching, and knowledge management.
This experience enables our advisors to navigate sustainable change processes and identify elements that can make a difference in development programme performance. We help governments, organisations and businesses to learn from their experiences, improve practice, and maximize the impact of their interventions.
Sustainable Economic Development Topics
Our Food and Agribusiness Team
Our Impact Economics Team
Publications
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Entrepreneurial Leadership: A Key Factor in the Economic Viability of Farmer Organisations (Fr/En)
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Learning Brief
Farmer organisations (FOs) in Africa play a dual role: as platforms for collective action and advocacy, and as commercial actors generating revenues through input supply, storage, and marketing. Yet many struggle to achieve economic viability, hampered by governance weaknesses, volatile markets, and dependence on donor support. This learning brief, written by Jaap Voeten, Fresnelle Houéfa […]
- Year of publication
- April 2026
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A3-SEED South Sudan: Internal Project Evaluation
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Evaluation
This final report presents a comprehensive evaluation of the A3SEED project (2021–2025), a €10 million initiative funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in South Sudan and implemented by IFDC in partnership with KIT Institute. The project aimed to transform the seed sector in South Sudan by strengthening domestic seed production through a private sector–led […]
- Year of publication
- December 2025
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Financial Inclusion for Strengthening Climate Resilience
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Review
In collaboration with Tecnológico de Monterrey, KIT Institute is implementing a project funded by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, entitled “Financial Inclusion for Strengthening Climate Resilience: Exploring Adaptation Strategies and Supply Chain Impacts on Latin American Coffee Farmers.” As part of this project, KIT Institute conducted a comprehensive literature review to examine existing adaptation and mitigation strategies in agriculture, with a particular […]
- Year of publication
- December 2025
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KIT MAG
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