For many organisations working across development and global policy, the challenge is no longer identifying what works, it is how to deliver it at scale, in complex systems, under real-world constraints.
That question sat at the centre of a series of events hosted by Oxford Martin School programmes during last week’s Skoll World Forum, which brought together leaders from more than 90 countries spanning philanthropy, business, government and civil society.
The Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Development co-convened two public sessions focused on where progress is currently stalling and what it will take to move forward. One, delivered in partnership with the Gates Foundation and the Livelihood Impact Fund, examined the rapid expansion of economic inclusion programmes across India and sub-Saharan Africa.
As governments increasingly adopt these approaches, the discussion highlighted a shift in focus: from proving impact to delivering it reliably at scale. Drawing on case studies from Bihar (India) and Ethiopia, participants explored how seemingly technical design choices, grants versus credit, community-based targeting, and coaching models, have major implications for both effectiveness and cost. For practitioners and policymakers alike, the takeaway was practical: scaling is not just about funding, but about getting delivery systems right.
A second session addressed a different but related bottleneck: why labour mobility, despite its potential to reduce poverty and address labour shortages, remains underused. The discussion asked whether technology can help unlock access to international work for those currently excluded. While digital tools and AI are improving job matching and credentialing, participants were clear that technology alone will not resolve deeper issues of trust, incentives and policy. The most promising approaches, they argued, combine innovation with trusted intermediaries and institutional reform.
Alongside these larger sessions, the Oxford Martin Programme on Security Futures convened a smaller coffee morning led by Achim Steiner, focused on a question gaining urgency: how should security be understood in an age where systemic risks are accelerating but still struggle to command attention?
Drawing on experience across climate, health, technology and geopolitical risk, participants tested where current approaches are falling short. A recurring theme was the gap between the scale and immediacy of interconnected risks, and the political difficulty of making a compelling case for collective action. Participants also pointed to the challenge of building shared frameworks across institutions with very different mandates.
The discussion turned quickly to what change would look like in practice. Shifting how governments respond will depend not just on new analysis, but on how risks are reflected in budget decisions, strategy processes and public narratives. The session marked an early step in an ongoing set of conversations aimed at identifying where progress is most constrained and how it can be unlocked.
Across the week, a common thread emerged, one that will be familiar to many working in these fields. Whether the issue is scaling social programmes, enabling safer migration, or responding to complex global risks, progress depends on bridging the gap between evidence, policy and implementation.
If you were unable to attend these sessions but would like to learn more or continue the conversation, please get in touch at info@oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk.