Long-term Funding Research Articles

Socio-technical challenges and prospects of residential solar PV diffusion in Ghana: Insights from regime and intermediary actors

This study seeks to broaden the understanding of factors influencing the diffusion of residential solar PV in Ghana by examining the socio-technical challenges confronting this sector from the perspective of regime and intermediary actors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with focal persons at the Energy Commission, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), 18 licensed solar home system (SHS) companies, and 15 real estate developers in Accra. The study uncovers compliance and mediation-based interactions between the intermediary and regime actors. Significant regime support for residential solar PV exists through incentives such as capital subsidies, net-metering schemes, and partnerships with financial institutions to provide soft loans for residential solar investments. Nonetheless, policy-regulation incoherence, a sectoral dichotomy between energy and urban planning, fragmented institutional efforts, inadequate access to long-term finance, and limited awareness/technical know-how of SHS emerged as the key challenges to residential solar PV diffusion in Ghana. Resolving these challenges requires synergies between the regime and intermediary actors to enact conducive regulatory frameworks and coordinate the activities of all actors to facilitate residential solar PV uptake in Ghana. The study also posits that the transition from a fossil-dependent regime to a low-carbon one not only requires a re-direction of financial incentives to technological niches but also to user-based intermediaries.

Шляхи залучення фінансових ресурсів державними банками для відбудови економіки України

Introduction. The analysis of the availability and quality of financial resources involves identifying sources of funding, established practices of state-owned banks, international programs and funds, criteria for ensuring the quality and sustainability of reconstruction, urgent needs for funding and its availability, ensuring the participation of economic actors in the planning and monitoring of reconstruction programs, accountability mechanisms and ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability. Problem Statement. The need to expand the sources of term resources on local and international markets, and to distribute them through a system of financial partnerships between state-owned banks and authorized financial organizations to support small and medium-sized businesses, requires coordinated actions among all stakeholders. Although households' long-term funds account for only a small share of the overall financing structure, they are becoming increasingly important in the context of globalization, especially in view of economic recovery and political stability. The purpose is to examine the volume, dynamics and structure of sources of funds raised by state-owned banks in the local market for the purpose of rebuilding Ukraine's economy. Methods. The study used a systematic approach, the principles of systematization of statistical and analytical data, graphical analysis, scientific synthesis, induction and deduction. Results. The article analyzes the volumes, dynamics and structure of attracting credit resources by state-owned banks in partnership with authorized financial organizations, in particular through the loan programs of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund (EDF) and the NBU's refinancing programs for commercial banks. It was found that the amount of resources attracted from the EDF is insignificant compared to the loan portfolios of state-owned banks. To access the EDF loans, state-owned banks invest in government debt instruments (government bonds), which is inefficient in terms of supporting economic recovery, as high interest rates on such instruments cause liquidity to flow into government debt obligations, which puts pressure on the state budget and additional default risks for issuers of such securities. Special attention in the study is paid to the analysis of the dynamics of customers' term deposits by banking groups, including state-owned and private banks, as well as banks with foreign capital. The dynamics of attracting funds from individuals and legal entities of state-owned banks in comparison with large private banks and banks with foreign capital is presented. This made it possible to assess how successfully banks maintain their liquidity and retain customer confidence. Conclusions. In times of war, state-owned banks play a key role in stabilizing the financial system. Business support programs, social payments, and government guarantees have made these banks important to customers, which explains the significant growth in deposit portfolios in 2023-2024. The volume of bank refinancing (collateral, terms, purpose) indicates a change in the NBU's strategy aimed at reducing banks' dependence on the central bank and moving to more market-based liquidity mechanisms. The gradual integration of Ukraine into the EU opens up prospects for state-owned banks to access large-scale and cheap financing under targeted programs, so it is advisable to orient the banks' resource policy towards the relevant mechanisms. In times of war and global uncertainty, state and international guarantees are an important tool for attracting additional financial resources. At the same time, this tool is used to a limited extent. Among the state-owned banks, only Ukreximbank has received direct guarantees from the Ukrainian government to secure creditors' claims. It is necessary to consider the possibility of attracting guarantees from international organizations as a less burdensome and more effective tool for expanding and reducing the cost of funding.

An Econometric Analysis of Inflation, Exchange Rate, and Interest Rate on Stock Market Performance in South Africa

The stock market is crucial for resource production, distribution, and mobilization because it provides listed firms with long-term funding. Despite the extensive research on the relationship between inflation and exchange rates, the influence of interest rates on stock market performance has received limited investigation. The goal of this study is to address this gap by examining extensive South African data spanning from the first quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2022. The study constructs a sample space of 48 quarters, utilizing the JSE All Share Price Index as a substitute for measuring stock market performance. Furthermore, it incorporates additional macroeconomic data from reputable sources like the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the South African Reserve Bank. We employ the auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to examine the relationship between the stock prices of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and various variables, including inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates. The unit root test results indicate that the exchange rate integrates at order zero (I(0)), while the share price index, inflation, and interest rate integrate at order one (I(1)). The model explains roughly 96.5% of the variability in the dependent variable. According to the findings, short-term interest rates have a significant and negative impact on the Johannesburg stock market’s performance. However, the study does not demonstrate the significant effects of exchange rates and inflation. Furthermore, the Granger causality test has proven that the independent factors have no ongoing impact on the dependent variable. Without establishing the generalizability of the findings outside these boundaries, the study limits its conclusions to South Africa and the studied period. Different methods, as the quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) or the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) methodology, could be used in future studies to look into these relationships. These studies could also look at other factors that affect stock market performance. These insights may help policymakers adopt the most effective monetary or fiscal policies and support investors in making well-informed decisions to diversify their portfolios and minimize risks.

Making it real: Actioning the mental health strategy with Pacific Island communities.

This paper explores the practical implications of the World Health Organization strategy of focussing on community-based mental health and wellbeing ecosystems in the context of the Pacific Island Countries. It draws on the expertise of the participants of a collaborative workshop held during the Creating Futures conference in 2023 to discuss successes, challenges, barriers, opportunities in the implementation of the framework and to examine potential future actions. Some of the significant factors that make for effective and sustained community-based mental health systems include appropriate central coordination and oversight of community-based services, adequate frameworks for quality assurance, meaningful data collection and sustained long-term funding, as well as a range of workforce factors. Flexible and place-based approaches also need to be considered in effective implementation, moving away from Western diagnostic 'labels' to communication that is effective at the local level. Positive community resources as well as the relative youth of the mental health sector in the Pacific Island Nations are huge opportunities to develop affective and appropriate community mental health systems.

The Impact of Regulatory and Technological Advancements on the Indian Banking Sector: A Comparative Analysis of Leading Banks

Lending or investing in securities, for the purpose of lending or investment, and which is a scheduled bank. "Over the last decade, the Indian banking sector has witnessed several positive developments and notable improvements in regulation. The policymakers, including the Reserve Bank of India Ministry of Finance, and other relevant government and financial sector regulatory entities, have played a crucial role in these advancements. One of the significant achievements in the Indian banking sector is the improvement in key metrics such as growth, profitability, and the management of non-performing assets. The sector has witnessed steady growth, with banks expanding their operations and increasing their market presence. Profitability has also improved, with many banks reporting robust financial performance. Efforts have been made to address the issue of which are loans or assets that have become non-performing or in default. and the government have implemented various measures to enhance asset quality and reduce These include the introduction of mechanisms like asset quality reviews, prompt corrective actions, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to facilitate the resolution of stressed assets. Moreover, a few banks in India have achieved remarkable success in terms of innovation, growth, and value creation. These banks have demonstrated a strong commitment to customer-centric services, technological advancements, and the adoption of innovative banking practices Overall, the study's findings provide evidence that disinvestment and associated reforms can positively impact the performance and government control may not necessarily need to cease entirely to achieve this improvement. It appears that the statement is discussing the historical context of the Indian banking sector until. During this period, banks in India operated in a protected environment characterized by government control and regulatory restrictions. Administered interest rates, high reserve requirements, and directed credit were prevalent measures implemented by the government. These initiatives have helped them enhance their competitiveness and contribute to the overall growth of the sector. In conclusion, the Indian banking sector has experienced positive transformations over the last decade. The efforts of policymakers and regulatory entities have played a crucial role in improving regulation and promoting growth. The sector now compares favorably with banking sectors in the region in terms of metrics such as growth, profitability. Additionally, certain banks have emerged as leaders in innovation, growth, and value creation, setting a benchmark for others in the industry wider mandate to serve as the principal banking institution in the country. They have introduced digital banking solutions, expanded their product offerings, and implemented efficient risk management systems. Utility services refer to a range of non-core services provided by banks, such as facilitating utility bill payments, offering insurance products, selling mutual funds, providing account services, and other similar activities. These services are aimed at enhancing customer convenience and meeting their diverse financial needs. The history of banking in India dates back to the early when three Presidencies’ These banks were granted the power to issue banknotes. Taken as Alternative parameters for AXIS bank, HDFC bank, ICICI bank, KMB bank, FBL bank, IBL bank, RBL bank, DCB bank, SIBL bank” Evaluation parameter taken as PB Banks, Net profit margin %, Return on long-term fund %, Return on net worth %, Interest income to total funds %, Interest expended to total funds %, Operating expenses to total funds %. the first ranking training is obtained with the lowest quality of compensation.

Assessing the Future of Oil and Gas Production and Local Government Revenue in Five Western US Basins

Oil and gas production is a major source of public revenue in many US regions, but uncertainty exists over the future of demand for hydrocarbons. We model how oil and gas production and related government revenue change in five western US basins depending on future oil and natural gas prices under three scenarios of climate policy ambition. We find that the Green River and San Juan basins experience production declines across all scenarios, while production in the Bakken, Permian, and Powder River basins are more dependent on prices. Government revenue generally follows the direction of production, but these relationships are not directly proportional. Under the lower price scenarios, revenue declines more steeply than production because it reflects both production and prices, which both decline. Long-term permanent funds, which are in place across all the states we examine, provide an important fiscal cushion for school districts, their primary beneficiary. JEL Classification: H71, H72, H73, O13, Q41, Q48

Pelaksanaan Program REDD+ di Kalimantan Timur

The efforts made by Indonesia in overcoming the problem of deforestation and forest degradation is the REDD+ Program. REDD+ is implemented to reduce the rate of deforestation and reduce emissions and sustainable economic growth. The implementation of REDD+ in East Kalimantan has its own strengths and weaknesses. This study aims to determine the implementation of the REDD+ Program in East Kalimantan. This research uses a library research method with a qualitative approach. In answering questions about the problems of REDD+ implementation in East Kalimantan, this research uses SWOT analysis theory. The results show that the strengths of the REDD+ program are the strong commitment of the East Kalimantan local government, and the initiation of various programs. The weaknesses of the REDD+ program are the lack of long-term funding and conflicts over land ownership. The opportunity of REDD+ program is the increasing economic growth of local communities in East Kalimantan. The threat of REDD+ program is the supervision of law enforcement that has not been fair for all communities in East Kalimantan.

Threshold effects of financial inclusion on financial stability: Evidence from BRICS nations

This paper investigates the impact of financial inclusion on financial stability in BRICS countries from 2004 to 2020. Using a panel smooth transition regression model, the results reveal a U-shaped relationship between financial inclusion and financial stability. Financial inclusion reduces financial stability up to a threshold of 44.7%. Beyond this point, financial inclusion contributes to greater financial stability, through gradual transitions. Enhanced financial inclusion supports banks in stabilizing their deposit funding by facilitating access to more stable, long-term funds and alleviating the negative impacts of fluctuations in returns. Furthermore, the study examines the role of institutional quality in shaping the financial inclusion-financial stability nexus, indicating a significant positive effect, especially in the upper regime. These findings provide valuable insights for financial regulatory authorities, highlighting the importance of promoting financial inclusion in BRICS economies and adapting regulations to mitigate potential risks to global financial stability.

Evaluating the impact of the Health Access for Refugees Project on people who are refugees or seeking asylum in Northern England.

Evidence demonstrates that people who are seeking asylum and refugees face individual, institutional and system-level barriers when accessing health services. Health Access for Refugees' Project (HARP) is a UK initiative increasing access to health care within this community through a series of interventions. This study explored the impact of HARP on health service access, experiences and outcomes for clients, and how volunteers and staff addressed institutional and system-level barriers. In summer 2020, we conducted qualitative telephone interviews with four HARP clients, eight clients who became volunteers, seven further volunteers and three staff members. The educational aspect of the interventions supported clients navigating the complex UK health care system while promoting independence in accessing health care. Advocacy by volunteers and staff was important in challenging barriers at individual and institutional levels. Staff challenged the asylum system, by improving information around entitlement to health care and addressing barriers to registering with a General Practitioner (GP). Interventions such as those provided by HARP can address different levels of barriers to support people accessing health care provision. This can be achieved through training health professionals and working with peers to support access to care and to develop self-advocacy. However, stable long-term funding is essential to ensure the sustainability of these initiative.

Identifying optimal funding allocations for public water infrastructure improvements under uncertainty

Diversified and locally managed funding strategies bring substantial benefits to water infrastructure investments across financial, social, institutional, and political spheres. However, these strategies often occupy a secondary role in the public sector's capital allocation process. We outline optimal funding strategies for water infrastructure by zeroing in on communities' specific needs and navigating two types of uncertainty—historical and priority uncertainty—across both long-run (multi-decade) and short-run (recent years) timeframes. Employing Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), our approach pinpoints optimal funding distribution both across and within categories (namely, individual counties) based on their funding needs. By comparing these distributions with Tennessee's Clean Water State Revolving Fund's historical funding approach, we benchmark how risk and socioeconomic factors influenced past decisions. This analysis yields optimal allocations that inform which counties should be given priority by public funding agencies, moving toward portfolios that adeptly balance risk with funding necessity. Our methodology is executed in two stages, each bearing distinct implications. The initial stage seeks to prioritize groups of counties based on their funding needs, considering both immediate and long-term contexts, in line with what government agencies might aim to achieve. The subsequent stage refines the equilibrium between risk and need at a more detailed level within these groups, facilitating risk diversification that effectively addresses both short- and long-term funding requirements.

Clinical opinion spotlight: A sustainable model for improving access to mobile mammography for underserved populations

Minority women face disproportionately higher risks of breast cancer diagnosis and mortality under 50. Mobile mammography vans enhance screening accessibility but face challenges like long-term funding and operational viability. This study assesses existing mobile mammography van programs and proposes a sustainable model through literature review and qualitative interviews at a tertiary care academic medical center. The proposed model emphasizes partnerships, sponsorships and long-term funding for ensuring workforce sustainability. Organizational structure, budget allocation, patient workflow and follow-up protocols are aimed at transitioning towards serving primarily uninsured patients while maintaining financial stability. This sustainable approach hopes to enhance screening rates and timely care for underserved women, suggesting scalability and potential to reduce late-stage diagnoses and mortality. Continued implementation and evaluation are essential for validating feasibility and effectiveness, ensuring long-term improvement in screening rates and program longevity.

Globalisation and Digitalisation: The European Approach to Cutting-edge Educational Practices

The urgency of optimising the development of Ukraine’s education system is driven by the need to preserve intellectual potential and national identity against the backdrop of the priority of integrating into the European system in the context of post-war recovery. The research aims to identify gaps in existing studies on globalisation and digitalisation practices based on successful European experiences and propose a new research direction in immersive technologies. The innovative solutions proposed in the article pertain to immersive technologies integrated into the educational process to enhance material assimilation and create engaging experiences. The advantages of their application are highlighted, including the visualisation of abstract and complex learning concepts, stimulation of active participation in interaction with virtual objects and environments, development of creativity and problem-oriented thinking, and obtaining realistic experience. The study establishes that the implementation of advanced educational practices of the European community and the involvement of long-term international funding in synergy form potential optimal prerequisites for developing the higher education system in the national space through the differentiation of powers between various institutions, autonomy in the organisation of educational process management, and the formation of a competitive environment in the higher education sector.

Green fund investors and ESG performance: Evidence from China

Using the ESG scores from the Bloomberg Database and the manually filtered green fund investor data, we study the influence of green fund investors on the Chinese A-shares' ESG performance. As we have found, the holding of fund investors who pay attention to sustainable development can improve the firm's ESG performance, and this improvement is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, heavily polluting industries, and after the green policy announcement. Our findings are robust after considering the reverse causality endogeneity concern and sample selection bias. In addition, the holdings of green fund investors favor the company's status as a green index constituent and its long-term financial performance. Further, the mechanism test reveals the influencing channel of this improvement and supports that it is long-term green fund investors themselves improving the firms' ESG performance and can improve a firm's ESG performance by attracting other long-term investors and new mutual fund investors, and increasing the level of media scrutiny pressure. Our paper contributes to figuring out the impact of institutional holding on ESG development and further points out the source of this influence.

Recommendations for Academic Health Libraries Outreach and Engagement Programs with Indigenous Peoples at Collaboration and Empowerment Levels: Striving for Empowerment

A Review of: Cruise, A., Ellsworth-Kopkowski, A., Villezcas, A. N., Eldredge, J., & Rethlefsen, M. L. (2023). Academic health sciences libraries’ outreach and engagement with North American Indigenous communities: A scoping review. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 111(3), 630–656. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2023.1616 Objective – To identify trends and themes in literature sources on interventions for engagement and outreach by academic health sciences libraries with Native Americans, Alaska Natives, First Nations, and Indigenous peoples in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, in order to identify and share effective practices. Design – Scoping review. Setting – Academic health sciences libraries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Subjects – Sixty-five reports of 45 engagement and outreach programs spanning 1982-2022. Methods – Researchers conducted a scoping review guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework (2005) and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. They first established inclusion and exclusion criteria then developed a search strategy and ran it across seven bibliographic databases and a library and information science repository. The research team also searched specific journals, conference proceedings, and websites, to find unpublished materials and grey literature; they used mailing lists and personal contacts to find further sources. The researchers used Covidence to screen sources from the bibliographic databases, with English language sources screened by two reviewers and non-English language sources screened by at least one reviewer who could read that language. Sources found via other search methods were screened using Google Sheets, which was also used for data extraction. The researchers analyzed the data using the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation, summarizing programs within the two highest levels to synthesize effective practice. Main Results – The authors identified 45 programs with 27 types of interventions. Training was the most common intervention at 25.5%. They identified 130 different partners; government organizations, both federal and tribal, were the most common at 23.1%. Using the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation, a tool designed to assess the level of participation and role of the public in public participation processes, the research team found that five programes (11.1%) engaged with the community at the two highest and also most effective and meaningful levels of collaborate and empower. From these five programs the researchers identified the following areas of effective practice: 1) partnership building and building trust with tribal communities including respecting the knowledge and expertise of the community partners, 2) prioritising and understanding the needs of the tribal communities including developing awareness of cultural differences, 3) partnering with multiple organisations to increase infrastructure, resources, and funding, and, where possible, 4) building on preexisting partnerships and relationships. Conclusion – The authors concluded that libraries are likely to struggle to reach the two highest levels of the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation, due to issues with infrastructure, resources, long-term funding, and previous troubled relationships between governments, organizations, and researchers with Native and Indigenous populations, leading to challenges with building and sustaining partnerships. They recommend that libraries initiate any engagement and outreach programs with a needs assessment, with the goal of involving the community partners as collaborators or empowering them as owners and decision makers. The researchers also recommend engaging programs with data sovereignty to increase IAP2 levels and give communities control over their own data.

Changing Nepali children's attitudes toward conservation through a participatory education program.

People's attitude toward wildlife is known to affect the success of conservation programs. Public education can increase support for conservation measures by providing the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, improve pro-environmental behaviour and potentially enlist participation. To that end, we developed a participatory conservation education program in Nepal with a target audience of secondary school students. Our lessons emphasized ecological balance by highlighting the roles of individual species, including the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). This species presents a challenge for educating the public about maintaining balance in nature, because although an important seed disperser and species of religious significance, macaques are frequently involved in human-wildlife conflict and considered a pest species. We evaluated the impact of our program by surveying students from six socioeconomically similar schools, four that participated in our program and two that had not. Our questionnaire was comprised of knowledge questions about local wildlife and conservation issues, an open-ended listing exercise to determine species preferences, and statements that elicited students' opinions regarding empathy toward animals. Knowledge about and attitude toward wildlife, including M. mulatta, were greater in students that participated in the program. More importantly, these students were more likely to understand the role individual species play in a balanced ecosystem, how human behaviour can negatively impact wildlife, and how they could participate in conservation efforts. Gender was not a factor in any response. We discuss the merits of using a participatory learning platform in a standalone education program that has long-term purpose, funding, and buy-in.

ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENCES IN THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCING AND INFLATION ON THE PROFITABILITY OF BANK SHARIA INDONESIA (BSI) BEFORE AND AFTER THE MERGER

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mudharabah, musyarakah, ijarah, murabahah, istishna’, and inflation financing on the profitability of Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) before and after the merger. Profitability in this study is measured by return on asset (ROA). This type of research is quantitative and comparative research because this research will compare the effect of bank financing on the financial performance of BSI before and after the merger. The data in this study are time series data and secondary data sourced from OJK, BSI, and Bank Indonesia websites. The data analysis technique used in this study is time series regression, data processing this study using Microsoft Excel and E-views 12 analysis tools. The results stated that mudharabah financing in the long term had a positive effect on BSI profitability before the merger, musyarakah financing, ijarah, murabahah, istishna’, and inflation had no effect on profitability. Meanwhile, in the period after the merger, long-term mudharabah financing had no effect on BSI profitability, musyarakah financing, and inflation had a positive effect on profitability, murabahah, and istishna’ financing had a negative effect on profitability, ijarah financing had no effect on profitability.

An analytical study on value chain finance to tomato and mango as a component of high value agriculture in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh of India

The study conducted an extensive field survey utilizing pre-tested interview schedules with tomato and mango growers and chain actors. A multi-stage purposive-cum-stratified random sampling method was employed to select sample units. The findings of this study highlight the cost orientation of tomato and mango production, indicating a greater need for consequential credit. The research revealed that growers of both commodities within fragmented value chains had a higher proportionate share in the value addition (price) than growers in integrated chains, primarily due to direct sales of produce to consumers. Additionally, downstream actors such as commission agents, wholesalers, and retailers received a comparatively higher proportionate share in the value additions (price) compared to upward actors, indicating that producers could not effectively compete with increased demand in the marketplace. Observations within the chain indicated that finance for tomato and mango production circulated through a product commitment relationship established between chain participants. Downstream actors provided financing to upstream actors from either their surplus funds or external finance received from financial institutions. The study suggests developing a producer-driven chain financing model as an alternative to the buyer-driven financing model for tomato and mango production. This could be achieved by promoting farmers' organizations as long-term financing strategies for financing institutions.

Lessons from a decade of adaptive pathways studies for climate adaptation

Adaptive pathways planning is an approach that maps the solution space over time to inform decision making under uncertainty. Since its first applications to climate change adaptation in the ’10s several studies and practical applications have used and extended the approach and discussed its benefits, limits, and complexity. What have we learned from a decade of adaptive pathways studies? This paper elaborates lessons learned on the use, value and weaknesses of adaptive pathways approaches for decision making using a set of guiding questions related to the decision context, the methods used, and contributions to decision making. Based on our experience and literature review, we find that: a) adaptive pathways analyses have been applied widely and are moving from theory to practice; b) an adaptive pathways analysis can be tailored and typically follows a staged approach; c) methods include narratives, impact models, and stakeholder participation tools; d) the complexity of adaptive pathways as a result of multiple actors, values, hazards, and actions at various scales for different purposes is a challenge, and this is increasingly considered through various extensions and combinations with other approaches. Ways forward to address weaknesses and current challenges include: accounting for coevolution between multiple actors across different scales (e.g., through interactive and multilevel pathways) and combining an adaptive pathways analysis with visioning and backcasting approaches for transformative adaptation and operationalizing climate resilient development pathways. To enable further applications in practice, it is important that experiences are shared and governance issues (e.g. long-term planning and funding) addressed.

The role of cultural organisations in matters of equity, diversity, and inclusion

ABSTRACT Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues are relevant to all areas of society, including the cultural sector, which is characterised by systemic discrimination. Our research question is: how do artists and cultural workers perceive the role of cultural organisations in addressing EDI issues in the Canadian cultural sector? We conducted 65 semi-structured interviews with Canadian artists and cultural organisation workers to investigate this question. Our results show the difference in perception between artists and cultural organisation workers, particularly regarding grant programmes that promote equity, the role of education, and of cultural organisations. All agree on the importance of promoting EDI in the cultural sector. However, artists and cultural organisation workers sometimes have different ideas about how EDI can be promoted. Results point to better EDI training for workers in cultural organisations, more long-term funding for EDI projects, better communication of EDI initiatives, and better sharing of best practices among organisations.

What Makes a Smart Bank: The Case of Brde, a Last-Mile Subnational Development Bank in Brazil

Development banks are considered mission-oriented financial institutions that must act to fill gaps and market failures, supporting innovation with long-term financing in order to play a fundamental role in smoothing the risks associated with boom and bust cycles. . The existence and role of public development banks have been discussed for more than a century. Thus, this work proposes a case study with the analysis of the Subnational Development Bank - BRDE, in which there is a reference based on authors who discuss regional development and, subsequently, the case of BRDE, with the aim of describing the operation of a small bank in an emerging economy, its strengths and challenges. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that banks that have, at the same time, clarity of vision and mission and alignment of programs, flexibility to adjust to economic and social reality, solid financial results, robust governance attributes and autonomy - professional and collegial governance multilevel that increases the costs of both undue political pressure and bad credit decisions. From a financing point of view, the bank stands out for its technical capacity, which are critical but are important institutions to reinforce that its capillarity and knowledge of the context and local markets are useful for development. Thus, these banks provide financial instruments to expand financing at local and micro-regional levels, directly or through commercial banks and cooperatives. KEYWORDS: Regional development, banks, financial institutions, BRDE.