Currently, the informal economy absorbs six out of ten workers and eight out of ten economic units worldwide. This phenomenon impacts economic and social development, limiting economic growth, hindering fiscal management, and reducing social protection for workers. The vast majority of employment in Africa (84%) is informal. Asia and the Pacific (66%) have a slightly higher level of informality than the Arab States (54%). Informal employment accounts for 37% of total employment in the Americas and Europe, and in Central Asia, one in five workers are employed in the informal economy.

Although the recovery after COVID-19 has fully reversed the informal job losses recorded in 2020 (around 20%), it has also slowed down the trend towards formalisation observed in the previous 15 years. Thus, the devastating impacts of the pandemic on the informal economy, coupled with the spectre of geopolitical crises and global trends (such as digitalisation, demographic transition and climate change) and potential future shocks, lend a new sense of urgency to the formalisation agenda, given the benefits that formality can bring to workers, sustainable businesses and society.

In this context, this course developed in collaboration with ILO specialists on informal economy and ILO Action Programme/Formalization aims to support policy makers in accelerating the transition from the informal to the formal economy, considering the cross-cutting nature of informality and incorporating new emerging approaches to the design and promotion of effective pathways from the informal to the formal economy.

The course is designed for:

• Policy makers at different levels from other important public institutions, including ministries (finance, planning, social affairs, statistics, etc.)
• Researchers, professionals, as well as staff from international organisations working in the field of formalisation strategies, including staff from the ILO
• Representatives of civil society organisations, including associations from the informal economy
• Employers' and workers' representatives
• Development partners

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Analyse the challenges and opportunities of formalisation strategies, including at sectoral level;

• Strengthen capacities to design and implement effective policies, strategies and solutions to promote the formalisation of workers and enterprises;

• Exchange good practices and relevant experiences globally;

• Identify viable solutions that promote productivity and formalisation.

The course will be delivered online through the ITC-ILO eCampus platform, combining interactive digital resources, live webinar sessions with experts, practical exercises (individual and group) and analysis of real cases.

The learning methodology focuses on active participation and exchange between people with diverse experiences, which will enrich the training process.