international development association
Low (specialist term in economics, finance, and global affairs)Formal, Technical, Academic, Governmental
Definition
Meaning
A specialized fund of the World Bank that provides concessional loans and grants to the world's poorest countries for development projects.
Often referred to as the IDA, it is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world's 75 poorest countries, focusing on projects that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve living conditions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalized as a proper noun; refers specifically to the World Bank institution, not to general international development work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning. The institution's official name is the same globally.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of multilateral aid, poverty reduction, and large-scale public sector projects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specific professional and academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The IDA [provides/allocates/approves] [funding/grants] for [a project/infrastructure].[Country X] [receives/benefits from/is eligible for] IDA support.Donors [contribute to/replenish] the IDA.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussed in the context of sovereign financing, project funding, and emerging market investment risk.
Academic
Analyzed in development economics, international relations, and public policy for its role in poverty alleviation and governance.
Everyday
Rarely used; might appear in news articles about global summits, aid budgets, or debt relief.
Technical
Precise term in World Bank documents, country partnership frameworks, and international finance reports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The project will be IDA-financed.
- The country hopes to IDA-qualify for the next cycle.
American English
- The initiative is being IDA-funded.
- They worked to IDA-enable the infrastructure program.
adjective
British English
- IDA resources
- an IDA-supported health programme
- IDA-eligible nations
American English
- IDA funding
- an IDA-backed education project
- IDA-qualifying criteria
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The International Development Association helps very poor countries.
- Many infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa are funded by the International Development Association.
- The latest IDA replenishment conference secured record pledges from donor nations to fund climate-resilient projects in eligible countries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'IDA' as 'International Development Aid' for the poorest nations.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FINANCIAL SAFETY NET for nations; a CATALYST for growth; a PARTNERSHIP between donor and recipient countries.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'Ассоциация международного развития' in a general sense—it is a specific proper name, 'Международная ассоциация развития' (MAR).
Common Mistakes
- Using lower case ('international development association') when referring to the specific institution.
- Confusing it with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or other UN agencies.
- Omitting the definite article 'the' before IDA in formal writing (e.g., 'The IDA approved...').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of the International Development Association (IDA)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The IDA is a part of the World Bank Group. It is the fund within the World Bank that focuses specifically on the poorest countries.
Funds come from contributions from wealthier member governments, reinvested loan repayments, and transfers from the World Bank's other arm, the IBRD.
It offers concessional financing—loans with zero or very low interest and long repayment periods (often 30-40 years), and grants.
Countries with very low per capita income (below an established threshold) and lack of creditworthiness for commercial markets are eligible.