Economic Growth, Sustainability, and Sustainable Development. Research andReference Services Project

摘要

This literature review examines the concepts of sustainable development andsustainability in relation to four USAID activities within the economic growth sector: economic policy reform, microenterprise development, privatization, and export and investment promotion. Key findings are as follows. (1) Lacking a common working definition of sustainable development, USAID lacks a comprehensive approach to incorporating sustainability at the project and program levels. (2) Although USAID increasingly emphasizes financial and institutional sustainability, it generally fails to consider the critical links between sustainable economic development and other sectors, such as health and democracy. (3) Few USAID evaluations identify lessons learned in achieving sustainability beyond the project level. More program level assessments focusing on sustainability are needed. (4) The World Bank appears to be more advanced in integrating sustainability concerns into its approach and analysis, notably in its Poverty Assessment literature.