​The Risalat Briefing

Insights for governments and project teams

Practical analysis from the people who deliver the work: governance, public finance, procurement, climate, digital government and more. Short enough to read between meetings.

142insights
22industries
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How we pick topics
  1. Donor pipelinesNew projects and calls from the World Bank, ADB, EU, UN and others
  2. Rule changesUpdated procurement, safeguards, climate and AI rules
  3. Client questionsWhat ministries and project teams ask us each week
  4. Field evidenceLessons from our programmes and assignments
Editorial reviewDoes it change how a project is run, funded or checked? Is there an original source?
InsightWritten by practitioners, linked to the source and to the training that builds the skill.

Latest insights

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Community Development26 Sep 2026 · 16 min read

Designing a Baseline Survey the Endline Can Actually Use

Most baseline surveys measure households when the project targets women. The error surfaces at endline, when nothing can be done about it. What baseline survey design has to settle before procurement.

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Governance & Policy25 Aug 2026 · 18 min read

Livelihood Restoration Under World Bank ESS5

Livelihood restoration under World Bank ESS5 goes far beyond compensation. Explore how governments and project teams can address economic displacement, restore sustainable livelihoods, strengthen institutional capacity, and achieve lasting recovery for project-affected…

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Governance & Policy18 Jul 2026 · 23 min read

Why Government Procurement Reforms Rarely Reduce Corruption

Government procurement reforms often promise greater transparency and accountability, yet corruption continues to undermine public spending worldwide. Discover why procurement reforms fail, the institutional and political barriers behind persistent corruption, and the…

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Community Development23 Jun 2026 · 23 min read

The Dangerous Rise of Pilot Project Governments

The pilot project government model leaves many reforms trapped in endless testing cycles. Learn why government pilot projects fail to scale, how donor-funded initiatives struggle to achieve sustainability, and what public sector…

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