Building Back Broader and Not Just Better Ought To Be the Goal

Context: Pandemic relief efforts should focus resources on bottom-up remedies for local problems that have hitherto defied solutions.

Key challenges to equality of opportunity: in the developing world

• Under-investments:  Many communities in the developing world suffer from problems of decrepit schools, crumbling infrastructure and rising social dysfunctions (crimes and substance abuse)
• Technology-led unequal economic opportunities: leading to joblessness
• Inadequacy of Massive one-size-fits-all programmes: as it cannot tackle a local community's specific challenges – 
• E.g. for one community, the biggest problem may be the absence of fast and affordable access to transportation networks; for another, it may be the lack of safe outlets for youthful energy. 

Opportunities Created by Technology Amid Pandemic 

• Spreading economic activity geographically: and connecting remote areas to markets
• Online platforms allow small enterprises to advertise niche products globally and enable specialized potential buyers to find them. 
• Work from home model/trends: will boost demand for local goods and services, creating local jobs.

Way Forward:

• Encourage investment in "opportunity zones": by outside funding, including further tax subsidies and with committed local leadership.
• Introduce Grant competition: by National or state government (or philanthropic institutions) to fund groups; must be dependent on community involvement.
  • For example, a public garden created and maintained by the community would be preferred to a contractor-built park.
• Creating learning networks: Developed countries like Canada have been creating learning networks to encourage bottom-up remedies to local problems that have hitherto defied solutions.