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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Leigland, James |
| Abstract: | Demonstration effects play a perplexing role in the theories of change adopted by development banks and donors. Such effects are said to be important but cannot be measured or their mechanics fully explained. They are important because these organizations do not have enough funding to help developing countries fully cover the costs of achieving ambitious targets like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they must try to mobilize the balance of needed investment from the private sector. Some forms of direct mobilization are measurable, but demonstration effects are indirect and almost impossible to quantify. In theory, they occur when the success of a project supported by a development partner encourages replication by others using less concessional support. The importance of demonstration effects has grown as it has become clear that measurable types of mobilization account for far less private investment than is needed to achieve targets like the SDGs. Development partners repeatedly affirm this importance by routinely invoking these effects to justify subsidization of private investment projects. But proof of their existence—and importance—remains elusive. This paper uses a literature review and a case study of a notable public-private water sector investment project in Rwanda to evaluate the performance of demonstration effects in mobilizing private investment in infrastructure. Although the many development partners who supported this project confidently claimed that its demonstration effects were powerful and would prompt replication elsewhere, this investigation concludes that the project would most likely discourage replication by reasonably knowledgeable observers. Such conclusions suggest the need to better understand the nature of demonstration effects, why their existence is so widely taken for granted, as well as the wisdom of setting highly ambitious development targets like the SDGs which cannot be reached without significant levels of private investment. |
| Keywords: | demonstration effects; public-private partnerships; infrastructure; SDGs; blended finance; PIDG; World Bank; IFC; private investment |
| JEL: | O1 O16 O19 |
| Date: | 2025–11–21 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:126933 |
| By: | Chen, Jian; Feng, Hongli; Hoffman, Elizabeth; Seaberg, Luke |
| Abstract: | In the United States, utility-scale solar initiatives face growing local resistance despite their cost-competitiveness and potential in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the marginal effects of knowledge levels related to solar, information treatments, and their interconnections with peoples’ attitudes toward utility-scale solar energy systems and explores some key drivers of the different knowledge levels. We designed and implemented a survey targeting both public officials and the general population in the U.S. state of Iowa. Among 862 respondents, 79.8% self-reported having a low level of knowledge about solar energy. Additionally, 77.7% expressed at least moderate support for hosting such projects in their community. Our empirical results suggest that individuals with a higher level of knowledge of utility-scale solar energy tend to express a higher degree of support for adopting such projects within their community. Individuals’ attitudes are more responsive to the negative information treatment. Notably, there are significant differences between public officials and the general population in attitudes and responsiveness to information treatments. We also find that landowners’ support for utility-scale solar projects is unlikely to change regardless of knowledge levels, while non-landowners show increased support with higher levels of knowledge. This study provides insights for developing context-specific outreach programs to enhance public awareness and support for utility-scale solar projects and promote future solar development. |
| Keywords: | Resource/Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea25:361226 |
| By: | Economics Team, Verité Research; Abeysinghe, Subhashini; Arangala, Mathisha; Siriwardena, Dilushi; Meegoda, Malinda |
| Abstract: | Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean has placed it at the centre of intensifying geopolitical competition and rivalry between China and India. This report examines Sri Lanka’s experience in balancing its own priorities and needs with the competing interests and concerns of India and China through the lens of project financing. It provides a data-driven understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and pitfalls that countries like Sri Lanka face by analysing the grants, loans, and investments made by China and India from 2000 to 2023. Drawing from these findings, the report also sheds light on safeguards countries like Sri Lanka can adopt to overcome the challenges and mitigate risks. The experience of Sri Lanka provides valuable insights and lessons for countries navigating similar dynamics that strive to manage strategic competition and rivalry between global and regional powers with their own development needs and priorities. |
| Keywords: | International Development |
| Date: | 2024–12–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:vererr:386158 |
| By: | Maredia, Mywish K.; Boughton, Duncan; Fisher, Ian |
| Abstract: | Climate change and food insecurity require agrifood systems that are both productive and resilient. Climate-Smart Innovations (CSIs) offer practical solutions, yet their successful identification, evaluation, and scaling remain challenging. This guide presents a structured framework for advancing CSIs from early identification to large-scale impact. Developed for the USDA-funded Regional Agricultural Innovation Network (RAIN) project and grounded in the Research for Development (R4D) paradigm, the guide outlines five interconnected phases: Screening, Feasibility Assessment, Field Testing, Scaling Up/Out, and Impact Assessment. RAIN’s adapted “5S” model places particular emphasis on designing viable business models and engaging private-sector actors to support scaling. Across phases, the framework integrates technical, economic, institutional, and social considerations to ensure CSIs are relevant, adoptable, and sustainable—especially for smallholder farmers. The guide provides researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with a practical roadmap for translating climate-smart innovations into scalable, resilient agrifood system solutions. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource/Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2025–12–22 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midasp:386159 |
| By: | Anusha Chari; Peter Blair Henry; Yanru Lee; Paolo Mauro |
| Abstract: | Despite the scarcity of infrastructure in emerging-market and developing economies (EMDEs), in the absence of readily accessible data on the historical performance of EMDE infrastructure as an asset class, private investors are reluctant to finance infrastructure projects in these countries. We begin to fill this information gap by computing the financial returns from equity investments in primarily unlisted firms in EMDEs made by the International Finance Corporation, the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group. The public market equivalent of 266 equity investments in core infrastructure by the IFC, with starting dates from 1961 to March 2020, was 1.17 using the S&P 500 as a benchmark, and 1.26 using the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. On average, over the past six decades, equity stakes in emerging-market infrastructure backed by the IFC thus delivered higher returns than investments in portfolios of publicly listed equities. Data from the full sample of IFC equity investments reveal that, on average, a diversified portfolio of investments in infrastructure-related sectors, and indeed, in all sectors more generally, generated significant positive financial returns, albeit with variation across decades. |
| JEL: | F21 G11 G24 H54 O16 O19 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34537 |
| By: | Leander Heldring |
| Abstract: | I examine the potential of pro-development state (capacity) building projects to be coopted for repression. I leverage the natural experiment created by the differential build-up of capacity between formerly Prussian and formerly non-Prussian parts of unified Germany, and the radical policy shifts instigated by the Nazi regime. Across a geographical discontinuity, and across different stops of the same train transport to the East, I find that Prussian municipalities were significantly more efficient at deporting Germany's Jews. They were also better at providing public goods and at collecting taxes. Just before the Nazis came to power, Prussian municipalities also provided public goods more efficiently, but were not differentially involved with anti-Semitism. I show that democratic oversight and aspects of bureaucratic culture can mitigate the potential for future abuse of state building projects. |
| JEL: | H11 H41 N43 N44 P50 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34586 |
| By: | Salvatore Russo (Venice School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice); Stefania Simoni (Venice School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the transformative potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the healthcare sector, using the dual lenses of co-production and collaborative governance. Grounded in the New Public Service paradigm (Denhardt & Denhardt, 2000) and key theories of collaborative governance (Ansell & Gash, 2008; Emerson & Nabatchi, 2015), the study positions PPPs as instruments for fostering more participatory, inclusive, and sustainable models of public service delivery. Within this framework, co-production plays a central role envisioned as a process where public institutions, private entities, and citizens collectively design and deliver services (Loeffler & Loeffler, 2021; Scupola & Mergel, 2022). The study is guided by two core questions: How is coproduction implemented in healthcare PPPs? And what are the main stages and challenges involved in the process? Using a qualitative multiple-case study methodology (Stake, 2013), the research analyzes two healthcare PPPs through semi-structured interviews and secondary data (Saldaña, 2021; Gioia et al., 2013). The findings point to diverse governance models and a relatively advanced level of co-production maturity despite the presence of notable obstacles. The results suggest that effective co-production within PPPs leads to more patient-centered care and enhances service quality. It also encourages broader stakeholder participation, moving away from traditional hierarchical roles toward shared decision-making and more responsive service design. |
| Keywords: | PPPs, co-production, healthcare |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:vnm:wpdman:231 |