Investing in inclusive growth for Southeast Asia

When I joined IDinsight’s Southeast Asia team at the beginning of July, it felt like coming home. Part of the reason is obvious – having grown up in Indonesia, Southeast Asia is and will always be home to me. The other part is less apparent–strange even–despite being new to IDinsight, as soon as I joined, I felt like this was where I was supposed to be. Working in the development sector can be challenging, but working in an organization aligned with my values and aspirations makes the tough work a lot easier. I have the privilege of being surrounded by passionate and driven teammates working towards a common goal of delivering impact to the marginalized and often overlooked members of our region. 

One of the unique aspects of our work in Southeast Asia is that we operate primarily in middle-income countries, which, as highlighted in the 2024 World Development Report, face unique challenges that could worsen poverty and inequality. Within-country inequalities remain substantial in the region, with rural and underserved communities frequently left behind in essential services like healthcare and education. Even incremental improvements can lead to profound, long-lasting effects in these contexts.

This is where IDinsight comes in. We work with our partners to find innovative solutions to close gaps and drive inclusive impact. This year, we’ve worked with various partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia to use evidence and data-driven insights to improve services and deliver life-changing programs. We collected data at scale to inform and support the Philippines Department of Health in implementing Universal Health Care – bringing equity to healthcare access. In Indonesia, we aided the Center for Education Standards and Policies (PSKP) in creating evidence-based policies for student success, analyzed digital gig work to ensure access to dignified livelihoods, and evaluated the impact of new agricultural technologies on the food system. 

“Looking forward, we have an even greater commitment to impact. We’re excited to deepen our work in strengthening data infrastructure and ecosystems so we can empower leaders to better track progress and make informed investment decisions. We also aim to expand our initiatives in climate resilience, food systems, and livelihoods—areas crucial to the prosperity of Southeast Asia’s communities in the coming years.”

As we look to the future, I want to emphasize the opportunities, and indeed the necessity, of supporting and investing in middle-income countries in this region. There’s incredible potential here, but realizing it will require the concerted efforts of governments, bilateral and multilateral agencies, funders, NGOs, and mission-driven organizations. We look forward to partnering with you to address some of the most pressing issues in the region. Together, we can tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities to deliver impactful, inclusive growth in Southeast Asia.