Strengthening institutions and organizations

Institutions are best understood as the “rules of the game” (North, 1990) which shape human behaviour in economic, social and political life (IPPG, 2012). Organizations can best be understood as the formally or informally co-ordinated vehicles for the promotion or protection of a mix of individual and shared ideas (IPPG, 2012). They are the “players” of the game. Strengthening institutions and organizations provides an opportunity to optimise performance of rural development projects. This is why IFAD’s Strategic Framework 2011-2015 recognizes the strengthening of pro-poor institutions and organizations as a key principle of engagement.