Learning from Experience
Perspectives on Poverty Reduction Strategies from Four Developing Countries

Learning from Experience explores how the Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative (PRSI) process is working, as seen from the perspective of four recipient countries. This initiative of the World Bank and IMF was introduced in 1999, with the aim of making aid more effective. It has been implemented in over forty low-income countries. Support for it from international institutions, donors and others, has ranged from enthusiastic to hostile.
The four country studies in this volume, from Tanzania, Ghana, Malawi and Bangladesh, consider the PRSI process under six headings: design of the strategy; the extent of country ownership and how to strengthen it; implementation; accountability; alignment of development partner support; and improving donor practices and procedures and cutting transactions costs.
Learning from Experience presents the effects of the PRSI process as they are experienced from recipient countries themselves, and will help international and national economic planners improve the way in which future Poverty Reduction Strategy plans are developed and implemented.
Contents
Foreword
Acronyms
1. Introduction
Overall picture
2. Monitoring Donor and IFI Support Behind Country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies in the United Republic of Tanzania
I. Introduction
II. Evolution of the PRS process in Tanzania
III. Quality of the PRS and its implementation
IV. Quality of support given by development partners
V. Main findings and recommendations
3. Monitoring Donor and IFI Support Behind Country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies in Ghana
I. Introduction
II. Evolution of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy
III. Preparation and content of the GPRS
IV. Quality of the GPRS and its implementation
V. Quality of support given by development partners
VI. Main findings and recommendations
4. Monitoring IFI and Donor Support for Poverty Reduction Strategies: Malawi
I. Introduction
II. Evolution of the PRS process in Malawi
III. Quality of the strategy and its implementation
IV. Quality of support given by external partners
V. Main findings and recommendations
5. Monitoring Donor Support for the Poverty Reduction Strategy in Bangladesh: Rethinking the Rules of Engagement
I. Introduction
II. Quality of the Poverty Reduction Strategy
III. Implementation and monitoring of the PRS: the government’s initiatives and donor responses
IV. What can donors do differently and how?
V. Concluding remarks
Annex: Summary of 2002 report of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG): enhancing aid relationships in Tanzania
References
Index
About the contributor
David Peretz (Editor)
David Peretz is an independent consultant and senior adviser to the IMF Independent Evaluation Office, the World Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and other international organisations.Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development Expand or collapse me
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy