Rethinking Informality

Starting May 2016! An ELLA Online Learning Alliance on Informality and Inclusive Growth

Some of those who live in the shadow of the formal economy benefit to the detriment of the economy as a whole. And while informal markets undoubtedly offer an alternative to unemployment, and provide much-needed jobs to the poor, those jobs are often bad quality. In Colombia, many see informal markets as a parasite on the formal sector. But in South Africa, the focus is on how poverty is less prevalent among informal workers than the unemployed. So do we need to re-think informality? Especially as one-size-fits-all regulations are not a viable strategy?

Applications are now open for a three month exchange and learning programme between Latin American and African policymakers, practitioners and researchers. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the different types of informality, and the impact of informality on inclusive growth, as well as a review of successful practices and policy examples from Latin America and Africa. In this online Learning Alliance on Informality and Inclusive Growth, we’ll be discussing how policy recommendations can be adapted to different country contexts, depending on the structure of each economy’s labour market.

The Learning Alliance will start on Monday 23 May 2016.

Outline and details available here

How can I apply?
Please read the full programme details here. 
Then to apply, fill out the online registration form here. Registrations will be evaluated as they are received.
The final deadline to submit applications is Monday, 16 May, 2016. 

What are the benefits?

• Learning: Sharing of practical knowledge of good practices and policy examples from Latin America and Africa. The expectation is that all participants will be able to transform their knowledge and apply it in their own countries.

• Networking: Be connected with people and organisations working on similar challenges, across Latin America and Africa. This Learning Alliance offers an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences in relation to how informality is perceived, and even initiate collaborative efforts.

• Certificate: An ELLA certificate will be awarded to participants who contribute to each of the Learning Alliance exchange and learning modules.

The learning programme will be led and moderated by Fedesarrollo (Fundación para la Educación Superior y el Desarrollo) in Colombia, and the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) in South Africa.

This programme is designed for:
Government officials, legislators, researchers and members of civil society and the private sector, who have an interest in sharing their own practices while learning from other regions, networking with a group of peer experts, and have the time to engage actively in the discussions. Anyone who is interested in putting change into action as a result of the learning exchange is an ideal participant.
 
How much does it cost to join?
There is no cost to join.  We anticipate members will need to devote about two to three hours per week to the learning programme to engage actively in the discussions, and get the most benefit out of the online learning alliance.

Outline and details available here