5 Essential International Development Terms to Know in 2025

By Nick Rosen

It’s a new year, and there’s a new set of international development jargon to disentangle. Check out the list below, and let us know if there are any other development terms we should cover in the future.

AI for Development

Artificial intelligence is reshaping work and the economy as a whole, and it is also emerging as an important tool in international development. In East Africa, for example, AI is helping cooperatives and other buyers evaluate the quality of the coffee they purchase, enabling them to pay farmers a price differential and provide tailored technical advice. Entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa, Latin America, and Asia also use AI to streamline operations, improve profitability, and create more economic opportunities in their communities. 

Meanwhile, TechnoServe programs use AI to make their training even more cost-effective and impactful.

Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women is the United Nations body that supports the economic, social, and legal equality of women and men globally. This March, it will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which committed member nations to a set of principles and “the advancement and empowerment of women all over the world.” This session of the Commission on the Status of Women will provide an opportunity to take stock of the Beijing Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals.

NEETs

Globally, 20% of people between the ages of 15 and 24 are so-called “NEETs:” not in employment, education, or training. Without work or a clear path to a sustainable livelihood, young people not only struggle to support themselves and their families, but they can also be vulnerable to migration or recruitment by extremist groups.

TechnoServe supports youth economic empowerment by equipping young people to contribute to and participate in the economy and reach their full economic potential. As the next generation of farmers, employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders, young people will be able to guide their families and communities to a more prosperous and resilient future.

Self-Reliance

In the context of international development, self-reliance refers to the ability of an individual, family, community, business, or market to sustain itself economically and grow without outside assistance. TechnoServe pursues this by helping farmers and entrepreneurs access the information, capital, markets, and networks they need to grow. And it nurtures a broader ecosystem that supports and sustains their growth over the long term.

When all of these ingredients come together, an entire economic sector can become self-sustaining and support the livelihoods of thousands of people.

Small and Growing Businesses

Small and growing businesses (SGBs) are defined by the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs as enterprises with between five and 250 employees. Because they have the potential for growth, these businesses are critical to supporting and creating high-quality jobs. In low-income countries, for example, 60% of jobs are created at firms with 100 or fewer employees. Helping SGBs adopt practices that accelerate their growth and job creation–and doing so at a large scale–is therefore critical to addressing the world’s employment crisis.

Check out last year’s list and learn more about international development in our Resources section.