About

Since 2011 the IZA – Institute of Labor Economics and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have been running the joint IZA/FCDO Growth and Labour Markets in Low Income Countries Programme (GLM|LIC programme). The programme, originally initiated and until 2020 administrated by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), aims to improve worldwide knowledge on labour market issues in low-income countries (LICs) and provide a solid basis for capacity building and development of future labour market policies.

More than 355 research proposals from researchers around the globe had been received; among which, 49 grants have been awarded for research activities of institutions across the world, with a substantial proportion of funds routed to research activities in institutions in LICs. As a reaction on the pandemic, in early 2020 G²LM|LIC launched an additional special call of interest for research on COVID-19 and its implications for the labour market and inequalities in low-income countries. Out of the 744 research proposals submitted, 14 have been awarded grants.

The GLM|LIC programme has already taken significant steps to close an important research gap on labour markets and growth in LICs. The programme has contributed to the growing interest in understanding labour markets in the poorest countries by producing high-quality research outputs and policy documents, as well as through interactions with various stakeholders and impacts on programs and policies.

Starting from mid-2019, the focus is mainly on gender issues. The new programme “Gender, Growth and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries” (G²LM|LIC) marks the extension of the successful IZA/FCDO cooperation and aims to foster research that guides future gender and labour market policies. The programme  aims particularly to enhance equality of opportunity for women in the labour market.

G²LM|LIC will continue to fund high-quality research in the areas of gender, labour markets and economic growth. The programme will also play an active role in capacity development and fostering research activities through consistently holding short courses for participants from LICs, conferences and workshops to encourage collaborations between researchers and various stakeholders.

Events held and sponsored by the programme provide a platform for researchers all over the world to share research outputs and exchange ideas as well as a channel for each project within the G²LM|LIC programme to gain more attention among the academic community and more influence in policy-making.

G²LM|LIC benefits significantly from the close relationships with numerous partners from governments, foundations, academic institutions, and NGOs to private organizations.