In its attempts to address the cycle of access, representation and decision making, Hivos has become specialised in two main policy domains: Civil Society Building (CSB) and Economy and Sustainable Development (ESD). Civil society building focuses on the reinforcement of and conditions for inclusive and democratic decision-making. This policy domain is based on the idea that inclusive decision-making is a human right, as laid down in international treaties and national legislation. The policy domain of civil society building uses what is called a rights-based approach. The present policy paper focuses on the second main policy domain at Hivos: Economy and Sustainable Development. This domain focuses on the economic aspects of development within the perspective of social and ecological sustainability. Activities implemented within this policy have one main target group: poor and marginalised groups in developing countries. Given that this group is integrated in the market to a considerable extent, this policy domain and the present policy paper use a market-based approach. Many issues in the policy area “Economy and Sustainable Development” have an important civil society building or empowerment component. This paper discusses issues from a market perspective.

Keyword(s): economic development, market, sustainability, civil society

Attached files

• 
  Hivos_Policy_Document_Sustainable_Economic_Development.pdf