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2002 Review of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Approach News Brief: IMF and World Bank Invite Public Participation in Review of Poverty Reduction Strategy Program Key Questions External Reviews: External Comments and Contributions on the Joint Bank/Fund Staff Review of the PRSP Approach Volume 1 - Bilateral Agencies and Multilateral Institutions (pdf file) Volume 2 - Civil Society and Individual Contributions (pdf file) Synopses of External Comments and Contributions on the Joint IMF/World Bank Staff Review of the PRSP Approach (pdf file) Seminar Series Outreach Summary of the Joint IMF, OECD, World Bank PRSP Review Meeting September 18, 2001 Regional PRSP Events International Conference on Poverty Reduction Strategies Links to External Sites IMF Policy Papers on the PRSP Approach |
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IMF/World Bank Comprehensive Review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) Approach Last Updated: August 20, 2002
In 2001-02, the IMF and World Bank conducted a Joint Staff Review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Approach.
Key Questions for Review of the PRSP Approach The Bank-Fund Staff Review of the PRSP Approach proposes to focus on the key questions set out below. Contributors to the Review, including stakeholders in PRSP countries and external development partners, may wish to focus their inputs on these questions. Feedback on the questions themselves is also welcome, because it is expected that these questions will be refined and modified as the Review proceeds. Because countries are at different stages in the PRSP process, it is recognized that not all of these questions will be equally relevant to each country. In this context, it may be useful to divide countries into four broad categories: (1) those not yet completed an I-PRSP; (2) those that have completed an Interim PRSP (I-PRSP); (3) those that are well advanced in the completion of their first full PRSP; and (4) those that have already completed their first full PRSP. To facilitate this, each key question below indicates (in parenthesis) the relevant country category(s) to which it applies. There are two overarching questions, followed by a series of questions directed at specific dimensions. These questions are intentionally broad. Therefore, associated with many of the questions are bullet points that are indicative of some (not necessarily all) of the elements that might be considered when addressing the question. Overarching questions 1. What have been the main achievements and challenges to date in developing and implementing poverty reduction strategies? 2. In light of experience to date, how might the guidelines and modalities of the PRSP approach be modified in order to improve its long-term developmental impact? Key questions Ownership and Participation 3. Has the preparation of PRSPs been country-led and, if so, have governments assumed full leadership of the PRSP process? (2, 3, 4) · Endorsement by highest political authorities
4. To what extent have governments been preparing and implementing PRSPs in an open and participatory way? (3, 4) · Extent of involvement of local governments and civil society
5. To what extent have participatory processes influenced the content and implementation of poverty reduction strategies? (3, 4) 6. Have countries drawn on existing strategies and integrated the preparation and implementation of their PRSPs with their core processes for policy making and program implementation, including annual budget cycles and medium-term expenditure frameworks? (2, 3, 4) Content of Strategies 7. To what extent do poverty reduction strategies represent an improvement over previous development strategies? (4 only) 8. To what extent are PRSPs built on adequate poverty diagnostics? (4 only) · Quality of data, including its disaggregation by region, social groups, and gender
9. To what extent do PRSPs have relevant targets and indicators for poverty reduction and appropriate proposals for monitoring and evaluation? (4 only) · Selectivity and monitorability of targets and indicators
10. To what extent do PRSPs clearly define, cost, and prioritize public actions that are likely to reduce poverty? (4 only) · Adequate attention given to pro-poor growth
Donor Assistance and Partnerships 11. Have countries' needs for technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of their PRSPs been adequately addressed by development partners? (2, 3, 4) · For strengthening data systems, and building financial management capacity and accountability
12. Have the Bank and Fund staff provided useful analytical inputs into PRSP preparation consistent with principles of country ownership and partnership? (2, 3, 4) · Quality and utility of Joint Staff Assessments
13. To what extent have external development partners, including the Bank and the Fund, begun to align their financial assistance and policy conditionalities behind the PRSPs? (4 only) · Content of IMF PRGF programs
Implementation of Strategies 14. What has been the experience thus far in the implementation of PRSPs? (4 only) · Operationalization of strategies in budget allocations and execution
Constraints
· Role of the I-PRSP in alleviating short term capacity constraints
16. To what extent has implementation of poverty reduction strategies been constrained by external factors? (4 only) · Limited access to external markets
17. To what extent have external factors affected timing of PRSP preparation? (1, 2, 3, 4) · The desire to obtain donor concessional assistance based on the strategy
18. Has an appropriate balance been achieved between country ownership and the need for donors to be held accountable for the use of their resources? (2, 3, 4) |