RE: Do Big Projects Deliver Effective Solutions in a Complex World?

Thank you for this thoughtful and critical reflection. Your points about the gap between intentions and investments and power dynamics are especially compelling. From your feedback, it is noted that large projects often come with ambitious goals—equity, inclusion, systems transformation—but fail to adequately fund the required capacities and mechanisms that would make these intentions achievable. This mismatch undermines delivery, particularly at the local level where change needs to be most visible and impactful.

The issue of governance and elite capture is also crucial. Without intentional efforts to promote transparency, shared leadership, and downward accountability, powerful actors often dominate processes and resources—further marginalizing vulnerable groups. 

Your insights highlight that for large projects to succeed, it’s not only about how much we invest, but how and where we invest—with intentionality, equity, and accountability at the core. 

 

Warm regards,

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Thank you for this thoughtful and critical reflection. Your points about the gap between intentions and investments and power dynamics are especially compelling. From your feedback, it is noted that large projects often come with ambitious goals—equity, inclusion, systems transformation—but fail to adequately fund the required capacities and mechanisms that would make these intentions achievable. This mismatch undermines delivery, particularly at the local level where change needs to be most visible and impactful.

The issue of governance and elite capture is also crucial. Without intentional efforts to promote transparency, shared leadership, and downward accountability, powerful actors often dominate processes and resources—further marginalizing vulnerable groups. 

Your insights highlight that for large projects to succeed, it’s not only about how much we invest, but how and where we invest—with intentionality, equity, and accountability at the core.

Warm regards,

Thank you for your candid and insightful reflections. Your experiences echo many of the recurring challenges many of us seen in large-scale projects—especially the issues around complexity, coordination, and cost-efficiency. I agree that when project design becomes overly ambitious with too many components, it dilutes focus and delivery. The pressure to “showcase” rather than deeply reflect and learn is indeed more visible in large projects, often driven by donor visibility expectations. Your point on political interests derailing project momentum is particularly critical in most of the developing countries. 

Your emphasis on the changing funding landscape is timely. As aid becomes increasingly constrained, integrating cost-effectiveness into impact evaluations is no longer optional—it’s essential. This not only enhances accountability but ensures we’re making the most of limited resources. Smaller, focused projects often demonstrate better value for money by being context-responsive, and less burdened by bureaucracy.

 

Regards,