The Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS) functions as the Bank’s operational arm, translating strategic priorities into policies, projects, and knowledge that improve lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. This vice presidency orchestrates the technical expertise, financial resources, and specialized knowledge needed to achieve measurable impact in borrowing countries.
What We Do
The Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge collaborates with governments to prepare and implement IDB projects with the highest standards of impact, scale, and accountability. These projects align with IDBImpact+ goals: boosting economic growth, reducing poverty and inequality, and addressing environmental impacts. The resources are complemented by research that enhances projects and ensures policy advice is evidence-based and tailored to each country’s specific needs.
Over 500 specialists in the VPS sector departments are distributed in Washington and the IDB’s 26-member countries. They have expertise on a range of issues to deal with the most urgent development challenges, from budget and tax reforms to investing in people, tackling organized crime and insecurity, promoting private sector investment, and improving physical and digital infrastructure. VPS includes the Environmental and Social Solutions, which guarantees that every operation meets IDB’s most stringent environmental and social standards.
The Department of Research and Chief Economist comprises a team of researchers who work closely with operational departments to produce forward-looking studies and innovative ideas that support the strategic agenda of the IDB and its member countries. This department advises IDB Group management on economic and development issues, conducts research and analysis on macro- and microeconomic trends, and oversees the development of the IDB’s quantitative and analytical databases.
Knowledge alone doesn’t lead to better development outcomes. What matters is whether that knowledge produced by the IDB is used at the right moment, by the right people, to make better decisions. The Knowledge and Learning Division does this by:
- Managing knowledge across the IDB project cycle by capturing and systematizing lessons learned, integrating evidence into programming and operations, facilitating the preparation of knowledge agendas, and measuring the influence of the Bank’s knowledge products.
- Opening knowledge, making data, evidence, publications, and tools accessible to countries and partners.
- Building capacity, offering courses, credentials, and tailored learning opportunities through BIDAcademy.
Discover insights, ideas, and stories from across VPS sectors. Visit our blogs to explore expert perspectives on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Learn more about this initiative that finances joint solutions to shared development challenges through regional cooperation.
Explore our procurement opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
We design and enable innovative and effective solutions that promote inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
Learn how our team is organized to fulfill our mission of improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean.