Transformation & Reform


How regions, countries, and localities have confronted and overcome their own challenges is instructive for leaders and citizens facing challenges today. Drawing on both historical analysis and lessons from its work advising leaders, ISE continues to document a diverse set of cases of transformation and reforms. These cases provide insight into how leaders and citizens developed a reform agenda, the policies and institutions advanced reforms, how the market and citizens were engaged, and what communications strategies were employed. Explore the Country Transition and Transformation paper series for our analysis of successful transformations.

Country Transitions and Transformations


The Country Transitions and Transformations series charts how regions, countries, and localities have confronted and overcome the challenges of statebuilding. The case studies explore the economic, social, and political dynamics of large-scale transformations, offering key insights into “what works” for tackling the pressing issues of today. Cases range from the making of Turkey’s modern state to state-level reform in India and Finland’s consensus-building citizenship model. View the entire series here.

Country Stocktakings


ISE’s country stocktakings evaluate opportunities for reform during pivotal periods in a country’s development trajectory. Stocktakings diagnose countries’ open moments and pathways for reform by assessing the performance and capability of various state functions and citizens’ view of the state while mapping the various international partners operating in the country and the alignment of key stakeholders around a potential reform agenda. View the Country Stocktaking series here.

Country Stocktaking: Malawi

ISE’s country stocktakings present a thorough view of a country to evaluate opportunities for reform during pivotal periods in its development trajectory. Stocktakings diagnose countries’ open moments and pathways for reform by assessing the performance…

View Complete Publication

Insight & Analysis: Transformation & Reform
Regions: Africa
Location: Malawi
Publication Type: Country Stocktaking Summaries
Sequencing & Prioritization for Ukraine’s Recovery

When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. Effective reconstruction in Ukraine requires well-sequenced plans that translate to consensus around actionable policies, programs and projects. This analysis harnesses insights from other international recovery contexts…

View Complete Publication

Key Issues for Ukraine's Recovery

International experience shows the importance of anticipating issues that can make the difference between successful or failed reconstruction following conflicts and disasters. This brief covers issues that will be critical for Ukraine’s recovery, ranging from…

View Complete Publication

State Function: Disaster Resilience
Insight & Analysis: Transformation & Reform
Topic: Economic development, Reform sequencing
Regions: Europe
Location: Ukraine
Designing Reconstruction in Ukraine

Even as the war continues in parts of Ukraine, attention has turned to the anticipation of planning for reconstruction and recovery. This analysis presents a set of key issues and principles that will be central…

View Complete Publication