Forests at Work: Jobs Grounded in the Natural Wealth of Countries – World Bank

Strategic Shift in Development Funding to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Evolution of Core Strategic Approach

A significant strategic evolution was announced during the Annual Meetings, marking a transition in development financing. The revised approach moves from funding singular, isolated projects to a comprehensive model of supporting entire economic ecosystems. This holistic framework is designed to stimulate job creation and sustainable growth across whole economic sectors, directly contributing to global development targets.

2.0 Direct Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This new, ecosystem-focused strategy is intrinsically linked to the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals. The model’s emphasis on systemic change provides a more robust pathway to meeting global targets.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The primary objective is to foster sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by creating productive employment opportunities on a sector-wide scale.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: By supporting entire ecosystems, the strategy promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fosters innovation, building resilient infrastructure for long-term development.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The adoption of this holistic approach necessitates strengthened global partnerships to implement complex, multi-faceted development programs aimed at achieving the SDGs.
• SDG 1 & SDG 10: No Poverty and Reduced Inequalities: A sector-wide impact on job creation and economic stability is a direct contributor to poverty eradication and the reduction of economic inequalities.

3.0 Thematic Focus of Annual Meetings

The transition to this holistic, SDG-aligned development model was established as the central theme for the duration of the Annual Meetings. All events and discussions were oriented around the implementation and implications of this pivotal shift in operational strategy.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article’s central theme is a strategic shift towards “supporting entire economic ecosystems to create jobs across whole sectors.” This directly aligns with SDG 8’s objective to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The focus is on a holistic economic approach rather than isolated projects to stimulate job creation.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

   • The article describes a “major shift in our approach” which constitutes a new development-oriented policy. This policy’s explicit goal is to “create jobs” by supporting “entire economic ecosystems,” which fosters productive activities and innovation on a systemic level.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.

   • The primary outcome mentioned in the article is to “create jobs across whole sectors.” This directly contributes to the goal of achieving full and productive employment. The holistic approach aims to generate widespread employment opportunities.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Implied Indicators

   • The article does not explicitly state any quantitative indicators. However, by stating the goal is to “create jobs,” it implies that progress would be measured by employment-related metrics.
   • An implied indicator for Target 8.5 would be the rate of job creation or the change in the employment-to-population ratio within the sectors receiving support under this new holistic approach. The success of moving from “single, isolated projects” to supporting “entire economic ecosystems” would be quantified by the number of new jobs generated.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: worldbank.org