Erik Johnson is a Lead Social Development Specialist in the Europe and Central Asia Region of the World Bank, based in Washington, DC. He currently manages investment operations in Ukraine and Azerbaijan with a focus on recovery and peacebuilding in conflict-affected areas. His analytical and research work is currently focused on forced displacement, coal/just transition, benefit sharing, smart village/rural development, local governance, citizen engagement and social cohesion. Previous to his work in Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Johnson led community-driven development and local governance investment operations in the East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank with a focus on Cambodia, Lao PDR, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands operation is the country’s first large-scale hydropower project, with a specific focus on benefit sharing arrangements with local communities. Mr. Johnson also worked in the Fragile and Conflict-affected States Unit, managing the multi-donor State and Peace-building Fund, leading staff learning on working in fragile and conflict-affected states and providing strategic and operational support to country teams including Somalia, Sudan, Thailand, Kosovo, and Georgia. Previous to joining the Bank, he worked for a variety of NGOs, focusing mainly on the development of democratic institutions and private enterprise in developing countries. He holds a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Keene State College.