Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

Episode 36 The Return of Industrial Policy: What's Driving the Surge in Europe and Central Asia?

Europe and Central Asia has announced more than 2,600 industrial policies since 2009 — more than one new intervention every day for sixteen years. But have these policies actually delivered stronger growth, resilience, and diversification? In this episode, we unpack the findings of the World Bank’s Spring 2026 Europe and Central Asia Economic Update. From slowing growth and persistent inflation to rising subsidies and geopolitical pressures, the discussion explores why industrial policy has returned to the center of economic strategy across the region. The episode examines what tends to make industrial policy succeed, where it often fails, and why open trade, competitive markets, and structural reforms remain essential foundations for long-term growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f6424ef3-a279-4872-a77a-34cf01c4c8af/content [https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f6424ef3-a279-4872-a77a-34cf01c4c8af/content]

Episode 35 WDR2025 Mini Series: 3 How Do Standards Help Us Breathe Cleaner Air?

Ninety-nine percent of people worldwide breathe air that fails to meet safety standards. In this episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development mini series, we explore why standards alone are not enough—and what happens when enforcement, data, and capacity fall short. Drawing on Chapters 6–8, the episode unpacks the “compliance gap,” where strict rules exist on paper but fail in practice. We examine how weak monitoring systems leave governments unable to enforce air quality standards, how fragmented regulations shift pollution across borders, and how better-designed systems—from China’s coordinated reforms to Rwanda’s tiered standards—can deliver real results. The episode also looks beyond air, showing how standards shape public sector performance, service delivery, and global coordination in an increasingly complex world. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025 [https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025]

Episode 34 Can Standards Make—or Break—Firms and Services?

47% fewer fatalities—just by using a simple surgical checklist. In this second episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mini series, we explore how standards can make—or break—firms and the delivery of essential services. Drawing on Chapters 4 and 5 of the WDR25 report, we examine how the rise of technical regulations—now covering nearly 90% of global trade—has reshaped opportunities for firms while creating costly barriers. The episode also shows how the same standards shape health and education outcomes—from checklists that reduce fatalities to adaptive teaching models that double learning gains. We highlight how countries can lower compliance costs through domestic quality infrastructure and alignment, while adopting phased, process-oriented standards to expand access and improve service delivery. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025 [https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025]

Episode 33 How Can Standards Unlock or Block Development?

Two hundred thousand euros—sometimes more than a firm’s entire annual revenue—just to meet international standards. In this third episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mni series, we explore how standards can either unlock growth or become costly barriers to trade.   Drawing on Chapters 1–3 of the WDR25 report, we unpack the “vicious circle of low quality,” where weak demand, limited capacity, and high compliance costs reinforce each other. The episode examines how governments can avoid copying overly ambitious rules without enforcement capacity and instead choose the right balance between voluntary and mandatory standards.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025 [https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025]

Episode 32 From Dialogue to Direction: AGORA 2025 on Rethinking Agriculture as a System in Africa

Africa imports $70–80 billion of food each year—even for products it could often produce competitively. This episode revisits dialogues held at AGORA 2025 to explore why. We examine a key shift: viewing agriculture not as a sector, but as a system shaped by markets, infrastructure, technology, finance, institutions and people. The discussion highlights the “hidden middle”—where much of the value addition and job creation actually happens—and why weak market linkages continue to limit impact. We also unpack persistent barriers, from financing gaps and climate risks to policy uncertainty, and what it takes to build more connected, functioning and resilient agrifood systems.  Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7f05de3a99602388dce224151870a1b1-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Agribusiness-Session.pdf [https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7f05de3a99602388dce224151870a1b1-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Agribusiness-Session.pdf]