Work opportunities and the benefits of economic growth are unevenly distributed among the world’s population. There are major pay gaps between men and women, 61 per cent of all workers are in informal employment, and young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than the middle-aged. Moreover, only 35 per cent of adults in least developed countries have a bank account. Measures that promote economic growth, equal and formal payment and access to financial services should be implemented to ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth.

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) seeks to address these issues in our research. The main focus is on strengthening the position of smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries, for example by creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women and analysing and resolving market bottlenecks.