Employment is a key driver for development as it constitutes a bridge between economic growth and poverty reduction. People and households get out of poverty most often by moving into more productive and decent jobs or improving existing jobs. Placing the aim of achieving full and productive employment at the heart of development policy is therefore critical for reducing and eventually eliminating poverty, reducing inequality and addressing informality. This is also globally recognized with the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

The European Commission (EC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) both recognize that, in order to achieve SDG 8, it is critical that full and productive employment be at the heart of development policy. In this regard, the EC and ILO have jointly initiated a project entitled “Strengthening the Impact on Employment of Sectoral and Trade Policies”. This innovative project includes developing methods and capacities to determine the effects of infrastructure investments on employment.

This series of project publications aims to capture the tools, methods, and processes developed under this project, as well as the findings from implementing these in the ten partner countries. By doing so, the experience and learning of the project can be disseminated to other countries and partners for their benefit, thus supporting the integration of global and national employment objectives into sectoral and trade policies and consequently supporting the elevation of the global employment agenda and achievement of SDG 8.