Market-based mechanisms for addressing environmental externalities have the potential to reduce environmental harms at lower cost and with 
greater efficiency than more traditional command-and-control approaches. However, the use of “cap and trade” mechanisms also entails overcoming a number of challenges including institutional capacity, initial allocation, and distributional equity, among others. This dicussion will focus on an innovative use of market-based mechanisms as an alternative to command-and-control regulation for controlling water pollution. Amelia Letnes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will discuss the lessons of the U.S. experience in applying water quality trading.
How to join! Wednesday, November 9 | 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) employ about half of the workforce in developing countries. SME growth may thus raise incomes for many low-income households. But SMEs often face significant constraints to growth relative to large firms ranging from excessive red tape to limited access to finance.
In this talk, Miriam Bruhn will discuss empirical evidence on commonly used policies for SME growth. Miriam will cover policies that work and policies that don’t in the areas of regulation, access to finance, and business practices. Encouragingly, evidence from Mexico, Georgia, Peru, and elsewhere shows that there are a number of programs that governments can implement to support SME growth. She will also highlight implementation challenges and caveats for some of these policies.
How to join! 12:30 – 2:00 PM, November 8, 2016
Deadline: 10-Nov-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
The Bank will recruit a team of engineers (a consulting firm) to assist SIG to review the basic/tender designs and cost estimates submitted by, and will be submitted by, the preferred investor, and assist SIG to negotiate the design and cost of the engineering, procurement and construction (EC) contract.
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Smart City events taking place in November! 
There is no better way to mark this year’s World Cities Day than reflecting on the adoption of the New Urban Agenda at the recent Habitat III conference in Quito. The agenda reaffirms the political commitment to sustainable urbanization and provides a framework to guide global urban development over the next 20 years, based on a shared vision of cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Deadline: 14-Nov-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
This task will generate three key studies related to urban sanitation for two unplanned settlements in Kigali, Rwanda (each with an estimated population of 20,000 inhabitants). The three studies include: 1) Urban Sanitation Status Index; 2) Diagnostic of Small Private Service Providers; and 3) Household Behavior. Significant surveys will need to be conducted in each of the targeted unplanned settlements.
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Netherlands for the World Bank 
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