THE KNOWLEDGE COMPACT FOR ACTION - TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO DEVELOPMENT IMPACT - For a World Free of Poverty on a Livable Planet

Jul 19, 2026

A strategic knowledge and technology agenda outlines how to transform development ideas into measurable client impact and sustainable outcomes. The framework organizes actions into four pillars: fit-for-purpose products, knowledge partnerships, learning-driven innovation, and systems that improve productivity. It also sets out monitoring of progress and includes annexes with perspectives on the knowledge compact and examples of knowledge to address climate change.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

Executive Summary

Introduction

Delivering Knowledge and Technology to Drive Development Impact

Opportunities to Accelerate Development Impact

Pillar 1—Fit-for-purpose Products to Better Serve Clients

Pillar 2: Knowledge Partnerships to Maximize Reach, Scale and Impact

Pillar 3: Learning to Fuel Innovation

Pillar 4: Systems to Transform Productivity

Monitoring Progress of the World Bank Group Knowledge Compact

Annex I: IEG Perspectives on the Knowledge Compact

Annex II: CCDRs—Crowding in Knowledge from Across the WBG to Tackle Climate Change

Boxes, Tables and Figures

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized THE KNOWLEDGE COMPACT FOR ACTION: TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO DEVELOPMENT IMPACT For a World Free of Poverty on a Livable Planet April 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... iiv I. Introduction—Delivering Knowledge and Technology to Drive Development Impact for Clients.. 1 II. Opportunities to Accelerate Development Impact ...................................................................... 5 2.1 Pillar 1—Fit-for-purpose Products to Better Serve Clients...................................................... 6 2.2 Pillar 2: Knowledge Partnerships to Maximize Reach, Scale and Impact ......................... 12 2.3 Pillar 3: Learning to Fuel Innovation ............................................................................... 15 2.4 Pillar 4: Systems to Transform Productivity .................................................................... 18 III. Monitoring Progress of the World Bank Group Knowledge Compact ......................................... 23 Annex I: IEG Perspectives on the Knowledge Compact........................................................................... 27 Annex II: CCDRs—Crowding in Knowledge from Across the WBG to Tackle Climate Change .................. 28 BOXES, TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1: [Summary of Key Actions............................................................................................................ vi](Summary of Key Actions............................................................................................................ vi) [Box 1: Artificial Intelligence: Driving Development through Responsible Innovation ...............................](Box 1: Artificial Intelligence: Driving Development through Responsible Innovation ...............................). 2 Box 2: Scaling Up Development Impact through Country Engagement..................................................... 3 Box 3: The World Bank’s Analytical and Advisory Work—An Overview .................................................... 8 Box 4: GEMs: Leveraging Market Risk Data to Mobilize Private Capital in Developing Economies.......... 11 Box 5: Accelerating Africa’s Growth with a Vibrant Research Network................................................... 14 Box 6: How the AI Revolution is Transforming the Way the WBG Works ................................................ 22 Figure 1: Why now? Harnessing the technology revolution to better respond to cascading global crises demands a fresh approach to knowledge................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2: The Knowledge Compact framework: synergies between pillars will leverage technology and incentives to scale up impacts for clients ................................................................................................. 6 Figure 3: An organizational structure aligned with the WBG’s strategic direction will enhance development impact for clients ............................................................................................................. 20 Figure 4: Analytics are being consolidated, creating space for client-driven knowledge products........... 21 Figure 5: Indicative Implementation Timeline ........................................................................................ 26 Photo p. v: Manik, a solar pump operator for Nusra, Bangladesh. ©Dominic Chavez/World Bank. Photo p. 22: The African Center of Excellence in the Internet of Things (ACEIoT), Rwanda. ©Kelley Lynch/ World Bank. Photo p. 25: Community meeting, India. ©Simone D. McCourtie/World Bank. The Knowledge Compact for Action: Transforming Ideas into Development Impact ABBREVIATIONS ACE Africa Cen

FAQs

What is the main goal of “The Knowledge Compact for Action”?

To transform ideas into development impact by delivering knowledge and technology that improve client outcomes and accelerate progress toward a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

How does the document structure its approach to accelerating impact?

It organizes actions into four pillars: fit-for-purpose products, knowledge partnerships, learning that fuels innovation, and systems that transform productivity.

How is progress against the knowledge compact monitored?

The document includes a dedicated section on monitoring progress of the World Bank Group knowledge compact, supported by annex materials and referenced perspectives and examples.

Jul 19, 2026

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