Eurasian Development Bank
Eurasian Development Bank
02/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/26/2026 01:10
Development banks are becoming international knowledge centers: EDB research
Almaty, Urumqi. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the CAREC Institute have released a joint analytical report "Capacity Building by Multilateral Development Banks: Cases and Key Features of Training Initiatives". It is a first-of-its-kind research, summarising the comprehensive experience of multilateral development banks and other development institutions in the field of training initiatives.
The report describes training initiatives of the 14 development institutions, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Eurasian Development Bank, Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Programme, International Monetary Fund, and others. It features a systematic analysis of these initiatives, including their goals, enabling factors, governance and financing models, target audiences, thematic areas, online platforms and AI integration, partnerships, and measures of effectiveness.
The report emphasises that MDBs are increasingly serving as learning centres. Through their lending and analytical work, MDBs accumulate unique operational and policy knowledge, which training initiatives help transfer to borrowing countries, development partners, and wider audiences.
Training initiatives of MDBs can serve as a tool for capacity building and best practice exchange. Training formats may vary. MDBs conduct online and offline educational events in the form of workshops, long-term courses, webinars, etc.
Evgeny Vinokurov, Vice Chairman and Chief Economist of EDB, noted:
"Training initiatives are developing as a key non-investment activity of MDBs, creating public goods. Over the next decade, the MDB's training activities will become more open, digital, and adaptive thanks to AI and virtual reality. International collaborations and cooperation with EdTech platforms will increase. By expanding access to knowledge, adapting learning to the specificities of individual countries and target groups, and developing professional communities, MDBs will continue to build skills, strengthen the institutional environment, and promote international standards."
The report highlights key long-term trends:
- The active development of digital technologies makes training initiatives by MDBs scalable, open, and accessible.
- Educational online platforms, AI technologies including AI-assistance and VR/AR are the key components of the evolution of MDB training initiatives.
- Collaboration with educational institutions and EdTech platforms (Coursera, edX, etc.) enriches MDB training initiatives.
- MDBs will improve the effectiveness of their courses through localization and cultural adaptation.
- Customization will increase the interest of sponsors in specific courses and attract donors in the form of countries, companies, and foundations.
- Joint capacity-building initiatives of MDBs could create more impact, reduce duplication, and strengthen the development ecosystem across countries.
- Profound integration with MDB projects and national programmes makes MDBs' educational courses a mandatory part of the credit and grant projects.
- MDBs will seek to calculate the ROI of their programmes
- It is expected that the number of courses focusing on soft skills will increase.
- Educational events can be used to disseminate and shape international norms and standards.
- Training initiatives could become more effective through the accumulation of "academic capital" by supporting the communities of their graduates (alumni clubs and others).
The full EDB research paper is available on the EDB's website.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of December 2025, the EDB's cumulative portfolio comprised 326 projects with a total investment of US $19.6 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022-2026 Strategy: the Eurasian Transport Network, the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System and the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex.
The EDB Media Centre:
+7 (717) 255 84 84, ext. 4774, 2160
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