Who We Are

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) is a progressive policy think tank working to advance economic justice and rights-based development in South Africa and across the African continent. We challenge structural inequality through rigorous research, strategic advocacy, and coalition-building, and propose bold alternatives to mainstream economic thinking. We believe that everyone deserves an economy that works for them — one rooted in dignity, equity, sustainability, and care.
Vision, mission,
values, and culture
The vision of the IEJ speaks to the society we aspire to – a project which we can contribute to, as one of thousands of organisations and individuals. Our mission reflects the contribution we strive to make. The IEJ is driven by a series of values, defining who we are and aspire to be, and what distinguishes us as an organisation.

Vision

A just society where an equitable distribution of resources, the democratisation of economic decision making, and systemic change are secured and entrenched for the realisation of rights and planetary wellbeing.

Mission

To advance economic justice by collaborating in the provision of rigorous, accessible research and policy alternatives that empower progressive social forces to create systemic change from above and below in South Africa and the continent.

Culture

IEJ is a collaborative, inclusive, and values-driven organisation. We foster a culture where integrity, intellectual curiosity, respect, and social justice are part of how we work with each other and our partners.

Values

  • Valuing each other: We value each person’s uniqueness and respect their contributions.
  • Open communication: We openly express our thoughts and ideas.
  • Collaboration and creativity: We work collaboratively, innovatively and creatively to solve challenges.
  • Justice, diversity, and inclusion: We ensure equitable access to opportunities, ensuring a diverse and representative workplace.
  • Rigorous work: We produce high-quality work with positive impacts for our partners and the communities with whom we work.
  • Solidarity: We act in concert with allies and each other to advance the cause of economic justice.
  • Boldness: We have the confidence and courage to advance systemic change in the face of political resistance, taking risks while advancing shared objectives.
Our Goals and Objectives
IEJ’s 2023–2027 strategy is built around three bold goals, each designed to advance economic justice across South Africa and the continent. These goals shape how we work, what we prioritise, and the impact we aim to achieve.

To produce knowledge that critically engages with the impacts of existing economic systems and advances systemic change that centres on just socioeconomic outcomes and wellbeing.

To shift the economic discourse, open policy space, and provide alternative policy proposals in strategic areas towards just socioeconomic outcomes.

To support the building of collective power through strengthening heterodox economic analysis and the capacity to undertake it, and empowering progressive social forces to create systemic change from above and below, in South Africa and the continent.

Strategic Objectives
Objective 1

Advancing inclusive macroeconomic and development frameworks for the just distribution of resources, equitable access to public goods, and the advancement of human rights.

Objective 1

Growing communities of practice around the development and advancement of new progressive forms of economic thinking and action.

Objective 3

Supporting workers and marginalised communities to build just economic systems in response to the climate crisis and the changing nature of work.

Objective 4

Popularising and building support for policies and new economic thinking that build collective power to advance economic justice.

Objective 5

Strengthening and positioning the organisation as a progressive force for systemic change and economic justice.

Cross-Cutting Objectives
  • Across all of these objectives – and associated projects and activities – priority is given to adopting a feminist and intersectional analytical lens. Through this, we centre how workers, women, the unemployed, rural communities, and other marginalised groups are subjected to multiple forms of dispossession, and develop alternatives aimed at overcoming this.
  • The IEJ will prioritise strengthening its work across the African continent in all appropriate programmatic areas. This will be undertaken through building strong and equitable partnerships and alliances. As economic justice is a global endeavour, international and Global South partnerships will also be developed where appropriate.
Strategy 2023-2027

The IEJ’s Strategy 2023-2027 document presents our organisational and programmatic goals for the next five years. The strategy embeds these within the organisation’s vision for a just society, its mission, culture, and values, and a conceptualisation of how we contribute to systemic change.

It represents the collective work of the IEJ Team and Board, with input from a diverse range of partners, between July 2021 and December 2022.

Strategy 2023-2027 Implementation Plan

The IEJ’s Implementation Plan for its 2023-2027 Strategy delves deeper into the objectives the organisation has set for itself and outlines the concrete steps we are taking to drive systemic social and economic change.

The Plan sets out:
  • The projects we will implement to achieve these.
  • How we have redesigned our organisation to advance our objectives.
  • Where we stand in our learning journey.
  • How resources will be allocated to drive the strategic plan forward.

It further outlines the six projects, aligned with our objectives, that we will pursue.

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