 In Recon, UNUIDA's global network of researchers gather and assess the best evidence on the impact of foreign aid. Here we look closer at how aid works in relation to economic growth and employment. Poor countries are poor because they don't produce very much. Poor countries lack physical capital, human capital, technology and well functioning institutions. One important role of foreign aid is to help poor countries mobilise their resources for producing goods and services that's supporting economic growth. The connection between aid and growth has been debated for decades and was long considered something of a black box. UNUIDA researchers have unpacked that black box. They have found that aid has had a positive effect in the long run. With an inflow of 10% of GDP, aid has, on average, added more than one percentage point to annual growth. Even though foreign aid is small in comparison to other resources, it can help to stimulate direct foreign investments. For instance, by building infrastructure such as ports that create more growth. Development is often more than growth numbers alone. Why, for instance, isn't economic growth in Africa translating into more jobs for people? Here, aid can give support to make growth more inclusive. People should prosper and be able to create a better life for themselves, their families and the next generation. UNUIDA researchers from all over the world have come together to find out what works, what could work, what is scalable and what is transferable in foreign aid. To learn more, come visit our website at recon.wider.unu.edu.