SEEP's work in the economic development sector is focused on five thematic areas with a variety of initiatives within each :
This involves improving the productivity and resilience of small scale farmers is essential to address poverty and hunger worldwide. Projects in this area include:
Programming in this area enables market systems to build long-term resilience increases household and community capacity to prepare, cope, and recover from disasters. Programs and activities include:
- Minimum Economic Recovery Standards,[6] internationally recognized consensus on best practices for building economic resilience for crisis-affected communities.
- Markets in Crises Community of Practice,[7] a forum for practitioners engaging with markets in emergency and recovery contexts to share ideas, experiences, resources and learning.
- Livelihoods and Inclusive Finance Expansion, a USAID-funded project linking vulnerable entrepreneurs at the bottom of the economic pyramid with business training and financial services and facilitating growth of the microfinance sector in Lebanon.
- Resilient Markets Resource Library
This includes promoting strong local member-based associations to act as champions of transparency and consumer protection leads to more ethical and fair treatment of clients of financial services. Programs and activities include:
- Responsible Finance Through Local Leadership & Learning,[9] a program aimed to catalyze large scale systemic change around responsible finance by addressing the underlying causes of market weaknesses.
- Association Services,[10] a wealth of tools and expertise helping associations accelerate their development, expand and improve their product and service offerings.
- Responsible Finance Resource Library[11]
Savings Groups promote financial inclusion and build resilience in marginalized communities. Programs and activities include:
- Savings-Led Working Group,[13] a recognized home for collaborative learning and action among Savings Groups practitioners.
- Savings Groups Evidence & Learning Initiative,[14] a partnership between FSD Africa and The SEEP Network to facilitate the creation, sharing and use of evidence for organizations supporting Savings Groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Mastercard Foundation Savings Learning Lab,[15] a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Itad and The SEEP Network advancing learning about financial inclusion.
- The Mango Tree,[16] the global resource on Savings Groups.
- Global Savings Groups Conference[17]
This involves supporting women's ability to succeed and advance economically leads to healthy and productive households, growing businesses, and the well-being of communities and nations. Programs and activities include:
- Women's Economic Empowerment Working Group,[19] a diverse group of people committed to advancing women's access to financial services, participation in markets and agency in making economic decisions.
- Peer Learning Group: Shifting Social Norms in the Economy for Women's Economic Empowerment[20]
- AWEF Learning Series, a collaboration with the Arab Women's Enterprise Fund, DAI Europe and MarketShare Associates.[21] The series engages diverse stakeholders to examine practical lessons and solutions in women's economic empowerment.
- Women's Economic Empowerment Resource Library[22]
- WEE Global Learning Forum[23]
