The development potential of regional programs : an evaluation of World Bank support of multicountry operations / World Bank Independent Evaluation Group, IEG.

Author
World Bank. Independent Evaluation Group [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Washington, DC : World Bank, 2007.
Description
xxx, 116 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

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Firestone Library - Stacks HG3881.5.W57 .W69134 2007 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    This evaluation examines the track record of the regional development programs that the World Bank has supported over the past 10 years. While these are relatively few in number, together they offer valuable lessons for how such programs can be designed and implemented to deliver good outcomes. This evaluation, which assesses World Bank support for regional development programs over fiscal years 1995-2005, finds that a majority of the programs evaluated have been or appear likely to be effective in achieving most of their development objectives. Even stronger results could be achieved if support for regional programs were better developed as an international aid practice. These findings are based on evaluations of 19 regional programs and a review of the Bank's total portfolio of some 100 regional operations. The IEG report assessed the World Bank's support for regional development programs active between fiscal years 1995 and 2005. These accounted for less than 1 percent of total Bank financing during this period. Three key findings are: (i) regional programs can deliver strong results; (ii) success and sustainability depend on strong ownership of all participating countries; and (iii) the Bank has been particularly effective in fostering country interest in regional programs through analytical work and resource mobilization, and less effective in helping countries deal with their conflicting interests and plan for sustainable activities. The evaluation identified five design features that have proven critical to the success of regional programs: strong country commitment, scope of objectives matched to national and regional capacities, clear delineation and coordination of the roles of national and regional institutions, accountable governance arrangements, and planning for sustainability. The evaluation concluded that the Bank has an opportunity to adopt a potentially bigger role, building on examples of successful experience. To do so, the evaluation recommended that the Bank: (i) establish regional program strategies and integrate them into Country Assistance Strategies (CASs); (ii) work with partners to put together grant and loan financing packages for individual regional programs; (iii) give more attention to improving the impact of Bank support for regional partnerships; and (iv) strengthen corporate incentives and capacities to provide effective regional program support.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-116).
    Contents
    • Executive summary
    • Introduction
    • Regional cooperation as an approach to development
    • The evaluation of World Bank support
    • The scope of the Bank's regional program support
    • The history
    • Development potential of regional programs
    • The regional program portfolio
    • The Bank's multiple roles
    • Regional program strategies
    • When does a regional approach make sense?
    • How well have Bank-supported regional programs worked?
    • The record of effectiveness
    • What has worked well, and what has not
    • Factors of effective program design and implementation
    • Strong country commitment
    • Scope matched to national and regional capacities
    • Delineation and coordination of responsibilities
    • Accountable governance arrangements
    • Planning for sustainability
    • The Bank's performance in support of regional programs
    • Bank performance on factors of program effectiveness
    • Bank structures, policies, and processe.
    ISBN
    • 0821369040 ((alk. paper))
    • 9780821369043 ((alk. paper))
    • 0821369059 ((e-isbn))
    • 9780821369050 ((e-isbn))
    LCCN
    2007007961
    OCLC
    85766058
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