ABSTRACT
This chapter asks what changes require prioritisation in resource-constrained contexts, by who, and “how” in relation to policy and programme implementation to support working “on” polycrisis. As part of this, the chapter argues for a rebalancing of social policy such that it better accounts for recovery alongside resilience programming, of economic policy to critically appraise for harm, and of environmental policy so that it is better integrated across social and economic policies and has increased investment for adaptation, which remains underfunded in low- and lower middle-income countries. In this rebalancing, the chapter considers how to better balance a focus on equity alongside risk mitigation in policy/programme development and implementation. It suggests a need to focus on gradations of vulnerability in times of polycrisis (i.e. work “on” polycrisis) while appraising and mitigating harm that may occur even in the most well-intentioned programmes (i.e. work “in” polycrisis). The chapter argues that this rebalancing requires system-level support through governance and institutional coordination prioritising equity alongside risk, supported by agile financing and evidenced-based decision-making. It finally calls on governments and donors to move beyond crisis-by-crisis responses and instead build a more equitable risk-informed system that spans both resilience and recovery phases.
