Programs and Initiatives

The global order as we know it is built upon the assumption of a system of functioning nation-states, international institutions and local organizations. Today this system is under immense strain with the forces of global competition, instability and conflict testing its resilience. Many institutions from the 20^th century are not fit for purpose and are struggling to deliver on their promises to meet citizens’ needs. At the same time, the abundance of capital, rapid technological advances and institutional innovation present immense opportunities to reimagine governance to address these challenges. A task ahead is to adapt existing systems and build new frameworks that balance the needs of the state, citizen and market – prioritizing the well-being of the people and responding to the demands of a rapidly changing world.

To navigate today’s context, we need a clear-eyed understanding of today’s reality and changing dynamics and of both the opportunities and risks to international order and the well-being of citizens. ISE’s State of the State trends analysis provides a map of the economic, governance, security and societal factors shaping the future and potential pathways forward. This analysis identifies risks and offers actionable insights for national governments, local communities  and global policymakers, outlining roadmaps for reform in both international and domestic institutions.

ISE’s Global Order and International Partnerships Initiative draws on 25 years of working at the intersection of international diplomacy, national policy and grassroots developments. ISE is committed to generating new ideas and perspectives to strengthen the international system and better serve citizens worldwide.  Through workshops, roundtables and targeted research, the initiative aims to contribute ideas on how to regenerate and reform institutions for the 21^st century. Specific focus topics include international partnerships; global supply chains and localized participation in the global order.

Development efforts have lifted many countries out of poverty, fostering greater prosperity and stability for hundreds of millions of people. Yet in many countries and regions, poverty and instability persist and new challenges are keeping dozens of countries in the poverty trap. The complex challenges of today demand a rethinking of the approaches and tools of development. ISE’s  “Future of Development” initiative provides cutting-edge research and options for how the United States and its partners can modernize their approaches to Development and Governance. This effort aims to update the toolkit used by leading development institutions, ensuring they remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. What does this Development 3.0 look like? How can OECD countries recalibrate their development strategies, partnerships and institutions to meet new global realities?  What would constitute a “better offer” from development actors?

Areas of Focus

• Harnessing Supply Chain Shifts: Global supply chains are shifting—how can developing countries capitalize on these changes? And how can development institutions better support these transitions to ensure that investments are calibrated with the rapidly shifting supply chains?
• Improving Interoperability Among Partners: Development actors often work in silos, but success today demands better coordination. What mechanisms can be put in place to ensure more effective partnerships, particularly in areas such as quality standards, environmental sustainability, and private sector investment?
• The Role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): IFIs and MDBs have long been central to development finance, but now need to update their instruments to today’s new environment. How can these institutions evolve to meet new trends and dynamics? How can they better support the development of a rules-based international order, regional cooperation for prosperity, and debt sustainability?
• Reforming the Humanitarian Instrument: Humanitarian action is increasingly relied upon in a world of complex crises. What are the opportunities for better managing humanitarian aid, ensuring value for money, and improving outcomes? How can like-minded funders think about opportunities for reform in the years ahead? How can development actors partner with humanitarians for a phased assumption of responsibility?
• National Development Planning: Effective development begins at the national level, where governments set policies, plans, and budgets that guide decision-making. What support can international partners offer countries as they develop and implement strategies that maximize citizen opportunity, security, and long-term growth?
• The role of women and girls in development: Empowering women and girls is foundational to sustainable development. We must consider the voices of women policymakers and women-led civil society organizations change. What are the mechanisms to ensure their meaningful participation in the development process?
• The role of Education in National Development: how to update education systems including giving vocational training its proper place, to educate and train the national workforce.

Past work: ISE’s Re-examining the Terms of Aid (RTOA) project has studied the building blocks of effective development and cases of how countries succeeded in development across the world. 

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate every facet of modern life, it brings both significant promise and risks. The power of AI and its potential implications are often discussed, but less attention is given to the implications for the public sector and the well-being of citizens. Rooted in ISE’s commitment to strengthen citizen-centered governance, this initiative aims to understand how AI can be harnessed to support improved development outcomes and the state-citizen compact while addressing the risk it poses. 

ISE’s Artificial Intelligence and Citizen-Centered Governance Initiative addresses critical questions at the nexus of AI advancements, governance and development. It investigates the impact of AI on core governance functions; ethically integrates AI to improve existing analytical tools and to develop new ones where appropriate; and disseminates findings to help key stakeholders understand both the risks and opportunities of AI for governance, ensuring its potential is fully leveraged to strengthen the state-citizen compact.

Since 2006, ISE has worked to build consensus around an agenda for enhancing sound governance and state effectiveness as key elements of international order and stability. Our goal has been to support knowledge and tools to advance sound governance. Today, a new set of global challenges is undermining democracy and contributing to growing economic and political uncertainty across the world. ISE’s Democracy and Governance Project supports leaders and managers with the know-how to address the governance gap and build governance systems that are responsive to the needs of citizens. 

Governance and State Effectiveness

For a state to be effective, it must carry out a core set of governance capabilities that meet citizens’ expectations and earn public trust while setting the conditions for economic and market development. ISE works to refine concepts and frameworks for governance, promote economic and civic engagement, and strengthen international relationships.

Read more about ISE’s Governance and State Effectiveness work. 

Market Building

Robust and functioning markets are key for states and their citizens. Market building consists of setting rules for commercial activity, supporting the growth of private businesses and social enterprises, and intervening during times of crisis. Expanded market opportunities also allow governments to more effectively spend their resources and leverage capital to deliver on their mandates for sustainable growth. ISE’s work focuses on developing the tools and frameworks for building integrated markets and identifying assets to support inclusive growth and development. 

Read more about ISE’s Market Building Initiative. 

ISE has built tools, techniques and analytical approaches to identify “open moments” – critical opportunities for transformation and reform in countries. ISE supports countries to navigate these open moments by learning from past experiences and improving on conventional international approaches. ISE’s approach helps governments and international actors understand the potential of these open moments, build coalitions to respond effectively and guide the implementation of transformation strategies. We have a range of tools that can help assess these moments and their potential, and ensure actions are taken in the right sequence.

Areas of Focus

• Reconstruction and Recovery: Building on our work on best practices for reconstruction and recovery in MENA, ISE develops frameworks and analysis to help governments and international actors navigate the complexities of reconstruction and recovery. Our work focuses on the key decisions, trade-offs and opportunities involved in post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding.
• Support to New Governments: When new governments come to office, they face the critical challenge of delivering effectively on their mandate. What are some best practices for managing transitions? How do new governments assemble strategies and policies? ISE’s New Government Support initiative offers data, practical know-how and support to new governments in building strategies and programs fit for purpose. Our Governance Reform Course and Academy provides tools and know-how to next-generation leaders in context.
• Reform Sequencing: ISE’s ISE’s Reform Sequencing Tracker offers a detailed, data-driven approach to understanding the sequence and performance of government reforms in countries that have undergone various types of transition. Featuring over 30,000 reform actions in 50 countries, the tracker allows users to compare how countries have prioritized and sequenced actions corresponding to ISE’s Ten Functions of the State This comprehensive database provides in-depth insights into specific initiatives and projects, helping decision-makers understand what has worked in the past and how to apply those lessons to current reform efforts. offers a detailed, data-driven approach to understanding the sequence and performance of government reforms in countries that have undergone various types of transition. Featuring over 30,000 reform actions in 50 countries, the tracker allows users to compare how countries have prioritized and sequenced actions corresponding to ISE’s Ten Functions of the State This comprehensive database provides in-depth insights into specific initiatives and projects, helping decision-makers understand what has worked in the past and how to apply those lessons to current reform efforts.

ISE’s National Accountability and Anti-Corruption initiative builds on ISE’s extensive experience promoting ways to build accountability within public finance systems around the world. ISE takes a holistic and preventative approach to combat corruption and establishing trust in public financial management while building integrity across the entire funding management system. ISE’s National Accountability Diagnostics tool assesses a country’s fiscal, budgetary, and anti-corruption systems. This diagnostic tool helps governments address fiduciary and economic development risks and opportunities.  In addition, as part of ISE’s support to governments in closing the implementation gap, ISE uses this National Accountability System approach together with its National Program approach to help build the strategic program architecture that can mitigate donor fragmentation and waste of public and private resources that comes with over-projectization